SHELTER FOR MOTOCROSS

HERVEY Bay Motocross members are all revved up from a $4400 Hervey Bay RSL Community Grant approval that has seen the club issued with four new bright yellow club marquees.

“We are just so grateful for what the RSL has done because the funding means that chappy has an extra day to have more time with these kids, plus take the pressure off her.”

Prior to the extra funding, chappy's extraordinarily big workload meant that on paper she only had three minutes to spend with each child.

She now has the time to assess each child's need and offer specialised programs, calming picnics, games, crafts and much more.

“It (funding) means that I can do extra programs and see extra kids and that is the whole point,” Carmen said.

“Two days a week was just not enough It was very overwhelming because there are some very heavy issues so having that extra day is definitely making a difference

“Time is one of the most precious gifts I can give and the RSL grant has given me that” Carmen recalls one special moment in her role when students were lining up for the bus to attend football for Gala Day. The children had their footy boots tied to their bags ready for the game, except for one young lad who chappy knew couldn't afford a pair of his own.

Having four children of her own and a good sense kids shoe sizes, she ran back to her office, grabbed a pair of brand-new donated Nike boots from the donation box which she tied to the young boy's bag because he “forgot his boots”

“For that student to feel like the rest of his other friends is a huge deal.”

The generosity of the public donating these kinds of items is imperative to Carmen being able to provide the best possible outcome for the most vulnerable students.

Community groups like MACE Wide Bay (Motorcyclists Advocating Child Empowerment) have donated to the chaplaincy program and the Urangan CWA ladies are the queens of donating socks Carmen said every little bit goes a long way and any assistance with school uniforms, socks, shoes and items like hair products, brushes and creams for the girls new SHINE program would be greatly appreciated.

HERVEY Bay Motocross members are all revved up from a $4400 Hervey Bay RSL Community Grant approval that has seen the club issued with four new bright yellow club marquees.

The club was sadly broken into in March this year and marquees that were used to shade volunteers, riders and paramedics wereamongtheitemsstolen.

President Tim Roker said the club aims to provide a safe and controlled environment at Dundowran Park for its 250 members to enjoy and participate in the sport of motocross.

That includes being sun safe and dry during events.

“It can be a long day, standing out in sun for some of our volunteers so the marquees have made a world of difference in keeping them cool in the shade,” Tim said.

“The shade covers are also used by our ambulance bearers who need to be positioned in the middle of the track on race days for easy and quick access to accident victims.

“They also cover gate admittance volunteers and provide shade during trophy presentations.”

Tim said the club prides itself on having the reputation as being one of best motocross facilities in Australia and providing shade plays a part in upholding that notoriety.

“We have about 250 members ranging in age from four years to 60 years, both male and female.

“We host about eight race days each year as well as hosting major motocross events where up to 400 riders and their support teams come to Hervey Bay.”

“His smile was just so big,” Carmen said. “He could go to the gala day and be like the rest of the kids. It's sometimes not just the needs, it's the wants as well.

“A pair of socks might not mean much to the average person but to a child with cold feet, it makes such a difference. “There are so many different ways to assist but the easiest thing is a small donation of shopping gift card, especially coming into Christmas so we can do Happy Hampers for families.

“We are all about kindness and we want to be a school that cares about each other”