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Rodney Health trustees, seated from left, Sara Lewis, Wendy Hawking and Guy Schofield. Standing, from left, Terence Banks, Sen. Constable Hamish Buick and Dr Warwick Palmer, Absent, Dr John Gray, Trudy Caldwell, Chris Murphy and Brendan Hart (chair).
Families and individuals who are finding it financially difficult to meet the cost of health care are being encouraged to apply for assistance from the Warkworth-based Rodney Health Charitable Trust.Anyone living north of the Auckland Harbour Bridge is eligible for a grant to assist with any health-related costs, from surgery to dental treatments.Previously, anyone applying to the trust was required to have a community service card.
However, trust founder Wendy Hawking says the criteria has changed.“We recognise that even in families where both parents work, the cost of meeting some health care bills is beyond them,” she says. “While we will continue to give large grants to regional charities and services, we really want to get the message out to the community that anyone who is facing financial hardship can apply.
”The Rodney Health Trust started in 1977 with four employees and grew to more than 1000 by the time its two arms – Northlink Health and Rodney Health Trust – were sold to Geneva Healthcare.The Charitable Trust was kept with the aim of meeting the health needs of those who required health treatment not funded by the public system, drawing its funds from an extensive portfolio of properties.It annually gives away between $350,000 and $400,000.
The major recipient continues to be the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service, but many local charities have and continue to benefit, including Loaves and Fishes in Wellsford, Springboard, Warkworth St John, Kowhai Coast Youth Trust, Warkworth Christian Foodbank, local fire brigades and Kawau Coastguard.Two years ago, in response to growing concerns about the mental health needs of some students, the trust funded visits by a child psychologist to Warkworth Primary School.Wendy says the programme has been so successful that this year the funding is being extended to cover Snells Beach School.
The trust also funds hearing tests for students transitioning from primary to secondary schools.To apply, contact any of the trustees named in the photo caption above. Alternatively, Wendy Hawking can be contacted on 021 425 252 or drop a letter of application addressed to her at The Oaks, 9 Queen Street, Warkworth.
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