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local news
Nepean News 7 November 2013 Issue 112
The girl with a heart of gold By Kerrie Martin
AT just eight years of age, Glenmore Park resident Brooke Jones has a compassion for other people and their struggles that extends well beyond her tender years. After recently accompanying her Dad, Garry, on a delivery run to the Nepean Cancer Care Centre, Brooke was struck with sadness over the plight of the patients that she observed. “I need to do something to help,” Brooke declared. “They just look so sad.” Brooke set her mind on holding a fundraising car rally to assist patients at the centre with an initial goal of raising $300. Residents and businesses in Penrith were quick to support Brooke in her quest and after a lot of planning, 38 cars took part in Brooke’s rally that began at her school - Surveyors Creek Public School in Glenmore Park. The participating cars had to follow directions to a secret destination, which was at the Weir Reserve. Last Friday Brooke met with Cancer Care Centre staff to present
Photo: Kieren Tilly
them with a cheque for $7,209.75. Presenting the cheque to Dr Taper, a haematologist at the Centre who has previously treated Brooke’s mother, a cancer survivor, the funds will go towards the purchase of patient comfort and care items. In raising the money, Brooke has far exceeded the $300 goal she set herself when she began planning the car rally. The schoolgirl’s mother, Amanda is currently in remission after being
extremely unwell while pregnant with Brooke and later being diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. “I’m one of the lucky ones who got through it,” Amanda said. “We are so, so proud of Brooke and what she has done. She was so excited every time somebody made a donation and was thrilled to see the balance going up and up. She called people personally to thank them for the donation.
“She is taking it all in her stride, I don’t think she realises the enormity of what she has done. To think of an idea like that to help others at seven years old and exceed that goal just as she turned eight years old is a wonderful thing.” If you’d like to contribute to the idea of one of our youngest fundraising campaigners, you can join Brookes Car Rally on facebook for information on how to donate.