By Casey Neill
A Keysborough man has used windows and doors to help sick kids for the past five years.
Jorge Chamorro from Stegbar Windows and Doors has donated all the doors and windows for the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Good Friday Appeal auction house since 2012.
“My younger sister was treated at RCH after a tree came down on her during a storm in 2005 where she suffered a broken leg,” he said.
“The positivity it brings to people’s lives who are involved in making the product and then seeing the faces of the children who benefit from the money raised.
“The event brings awareness to the plight of many families who may have a child going through a life debilitating illness at RCH.
“The selling of the house gives funding to this hospital but also provides the homeowner with a sense of pride in being involved with a reputable builder and worthy event.”
Stegbar is one of the 400 trades and suppliers that donated resources and time to build Palace 38 in Mt Duneed, the latest Henley and Villawood house to be auctioned on Good Friday, 14 April, for RCH.
This is Henley’s 24th year of building and donating houses to the Good Friday Appeal.
“We are humbled by the continued generosity of our suppliers and tradespeople, who, year after year, donate their time to help create a stunning home to be auctioned off for the RCH,” managing director Peter Hayes said.
“In donating 100 per cent of the proceeds it means a family has the opportunity to buy a quality house in a beautiful community for a good cause – and for most of us, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to donate such a significant amount of money to charity!”
Villawood Properties director Rory Costelloe said that over the eight years the company had been involved, the auction had raised $4.38 million for RCH.
“The Charity Home Auction is the culmination of a great collective effort by some fantastic people who have all donated their time and resources,” he said.
More than 45,000 children were admitted to RCH last year and more than 90,000 children were treated in emergency.
That’s in addition to the 255,000 children treated at the hospital’s specialist clinics.