It wasn’t a letter from the Queen that put a smile on Sister Mercie Whellan’s face when she turned 100 yesterday, but rather the ability to help those affected by the fires.
To celebrate her momentous day, Sister Mercie reached out to Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott to facilitate a donation of $100,000 to the Northern Beaches Rural Fire Service.
Philanthropists Marcus and Caroline Blackmore then generously matched the donation with another $100,000. The donation was given to the RFS at a lunch for her 100th birthday this week.
More than 40 years ago, as CEO, Marcus Blackmore introduced a program where the company matched staff charity donations. Though Sister Whellan is no longer a Blackmores employee, Marcus and Caroline Blackmore made the additional donation to the Northern Beaches RFS.
With all the sadness and tragedy in the world, this kernel of good news is particularly heart-warming. It’s wonderful to learn that such a big difference has been made to those less fortunate by the generosity of others including the Blackmores and this incredible woman described as “an absolute trailblazer in the natural health industry.”
After receiving the donation, Dr Ken Hughes, Northern Beaches Rural Fire Service Treasurer said, “We’ve never had a donation of this size and we’re so pleased that the money will go directly to helping our volunteer brigades, which includes buying equipment as well as further developing initiatives to help keep our community safe”.
All of this proves, you are never too old to make a difference with an act of kindness.
Sister Mercie, we wish you a specially happy birthday week from all of us here at The Carousel.
How can you help make a difference: Try making a donation to the below
- Australian Red Cross Disaster Recovery and Relief
- RSPCANSW.org.au.
- https://zooshop.taronga.org.au/appeal/koala-emergency-appeal
- Salvation Army Disaster Appeal
- St Vincent de Paul Society Bushfire Appeal (NSW)
Or you can support the RFS volunteers
If you choose to support the RFS volunteers, you can donate directly to them here:
Any help will be greatly appreciated we’re sure because Australians everywhere are concerned and wanting to support those affected by the fires and those working to control them.