Royal Rehab Foundation

The Royal Rehab Foundation, with the support of its generous donors plays a key role, often ‘stepping in’ with critical funding to support recovery, rehabilitation or daily living, by providing funding for a wide range of programmes, initiatives and services.

Highlights

Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact in-person fundraising activities, the Foundation turned to social and digital media to encourage donations and raise awareness of its important work. This new approach to fundraising saw donations increase by 26%, helping the Foundation continue to touch the lives of many with a range of new initiatives.

Christmas cheer goes a long way

Thanks to the Foundation’s generous donors, Christmas 2021 was made a little bit more festive for the residents of Royal Rehab’s supported homes. All residents received a much-appreciated $50 gift card to spend on something special. Bringing Christmas cheer into the homes, each home was decorated and gifted a special Christmas hamper for all to share. Funded entirely by donations, this was a first for the Foundation who hope to continue the tradition. The funds also allowed for the provision of essential hygiene kits and bedsheets for clients most in need.

Royal Rehab Foundation client receiving his gift card.

The Ducati Owners Club of NSW sets a record

The Ducati Owners Club of NSW has been a generous, long-time supporter of Royal Rehab and FY22 was no exception. Renowned for their famous raffles and club events, their hard-working committee raised a record amount of $75,000 for Royal Rehab. The funds have been instrumental in helping establish Royal Rehab’s first virtual reality room, located in the recently completed Advanced Technology Centre. VR software is increasingly being used in pain and mental health management, strength and balance training, and in improving upper limb function and cognition. Clinicians are already seeing the benefits of using the VR, reporting that clients using the programs are engaged for longer periods. The web-based nature of the software also allows for greater telehealth opportunities into the future, with clients being able to potentially trial the system in their homes for longterm use.

White Knight grants commence

Following a merger of the White Knight Foundation and the Royal Rehab Foundation in FY21, the White Knight grants program awarded its first grants this year. The fund, named in honour of Liam Knight who himself was the subject of an unprovoked and violent attack, gives a helping hand to those who have been victims of crime. 

This year the fund has supported people experiencing domestic violence to restart their lives in new homes and has provided much needed travel and treatment assistance for those in need.

Mike Luker Ducati Owners Club NSW Treasurer (L) with Matt McKay CEO, Royal Rehab (centre) and Ducati Owners Club NSW President Scott Gibson (R).

Carlos’ story

In 2011 Carlos, his wife and two children arrived in Australia from Brazil to embark upon a new and exciting life. An IT professional, Carlos’ skills were in demand both in Australia and overseas.

Carlos frequently travelled to Saudi Arabia for work, spending many months away from his family. During his time there, Carlos decided to get fit and joined a local triathlon club, becoming both a social and racing member.

Whilst training to compete in an Ironman triathlon, Carlos was thrown from his bike onto the road, experiencing severe, life-threatening injuries including a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, severe calcification of his hips, decreased eyesight and paralysis of half of his face. After six weeks in a coma, Carlos spent a further six months in hospital in Saudi Arabia before he was able to return home to Australia in January 2021. Upon his return, Carlos was admitted to Royal Rehab’s Brain Injury Unit where he set to work on his recovery which included using a hand cycle and doing laps of the grounds around Ryde. This had a positive impact on both his physical and mental health, providing him with a greater degree of independence. To support his recovery and to help Carlos achieve his goal of one day returning to road cycling, the Royal Rehab Foundation was able to purchase a stationary bike at a cost of $4,999 which his family would not otherwise have been able to afford. Upon hearing Carlos’ story, 99 Bikes Castle Hill, who supplied the bike, generously provided a discount of $250. Carlos continues to make great progress in his recovery and is one step closer to achieving his goal of returning to competitive cycling.

Carlos with his awards.

Royal Rehab Staff Member Martina (L) with Carlos (R) on his cycle.