By Brendan Rees
A South East service that supports people with disabilities has received a generous donation of gardening equipment – valued at more than $2,000.
The Bridge Connects, which has services in Narre Warren, Berwick, Dandenong and Cranbourne was presented the state-of-the-art equipment on Thursday 11 April by MTD Products Australia, a Dandenong South gardening equipment manufacturer.
A brand-new lawn-mower, whipper snipper, hedge trimmer and leaf-blower, all battery operated and with spare chargers supplied will help The Bridge maintain their own centers’ gardens, and train participants with disabilities with employable gardening skills.
MDT decided to support a local community project via their global stewardship program.
MDT executive team assistant Kimberley Wickham spearheaded the idea with MTD’s senior staff, and they got on board straight away.
“The Rover CORE power equipment was thoughtfully selected by MTD staff for its maximum safety features, ease of operation, and no potentially risky fuels or chemicals are required,” she said.
Managing director of The Bridge Connects Mary-Jane Stolp thanked MTD for their generous donation, and for their genuine interest in the Bridge’s services and participants throughout Greater Dandenong and Casey.
The Bridge’s Webb Street Narre Warren service coordinator Catherine Dunstan was touched and excited by MTD’s donation. She has been dragging her own lawn-mover to and from the centre.
Disability support worker Dan Moss knew how much the participants would love learning to use the equipment, especially the Rover leaf-blower: “They’ll all be fighting over who gets to use that one,” he said.
