Brad Collins sees many of Wakefield’s most vulnerable people at the pharmacy he co-owns in the village and it triggered a fundraising mission for the Big Bake Up that gives those people a boost by providing a meal.
The pharmacy’s mission began with various raffles and then organising a quiz at the neighbouring Sprig and Fern tavern and donating prizes, all in the name of community.
“For us, the Big Bake Up has benefited a lot of our patients – there are a lot of vulnerable people in the community and we try to keep an eye out for them.”
Right on cue, an elderly resident, Janet Talbot, walks into the pharmacy and describes her gratitude for receiving a meal from the Big Bake Up after a problem with her leg made it difficult to stand and cook her own meal.
“They (doctor) told me to sit with my feet up which is all very well! I hate cooking anyway, so I usually look at what is in the vege garden, the fridge and the freezer, chuck it in the wok and call it stir fry. The vege garden is completely out of control at the moment.”
The pharmacy has received extra funding under the Comprehensive Primary Care Teams initiative from Nelson Bay’s Primary Health organisation to help vulnerable people in the community, but Brad says it looks like the funding will be discontinued by the current Government at the end of the year.
He says the team still wants to help those vulnerable people, who they get to know through the pharmacy.
Which is why the pharmacy is now doing what it can to help the Big Bake Up, which runs as a non-profit organisation with volunteers providing meals to anyone in the community who could do with a bit of kindness through a difficult time.
“We’re highlighting Big Bake Up because we know they rely on people’s kindness and donations to run. We see them as a valuable resource. It’s nice to support your community in initiatives that help others.”
