Our Story

It all started with a request for a laptop for a young teenage girl whose parents died unexpectedly. The young girl had moved in with her aged grandparents who were not technology-literate and had neither the funds nor the capacity to support this young girl’s education requirements. A group of volunteers stepped in and a laptop complete with accessories was delivered to allow her to continue her education in as normal a manner as possible. Bridging Communities was then formed to allow philanthropists and the caring public to provide direct assistance to families where the request for assistance is outside of the criteria or timelines of other organisations operating in the community services sector.

The plight of a young family of three children with special needs was brought to our attention by a Local Area Coordinator of Disability Services Commission. This family from Ellenbrook didn’t have a vehicle to assist them with their weekly visits to PMH and therapy providers for their three children. Bridging Communities sourced and organised the donation of funds then worked with City Motors to purchase a vehicle appropriate for the family, complete with three years complimentary servicing. Seen here is the family proudly receiving the keys to their car from City Motors.

Single Mum, Anne, was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a form of cancer usually found in young children and teenagers. Anne was diagnosed quite late and as she underwent treatment, she was unable to work at her job as a Kindergarten Teacher. Whilst this was isolating in itself, her inability to work left her unable to pay for chemo and radio therapy and dissolved the income necessary for her and her teenage son to meet every day expenses. With the assistance of funds raised for Bridging Communities by Leanne Thorpe and her supporters in the Chevron City to Surf run, Anne’s medical expenses and other necessities were met by Bridging Communities.

After being in a wheelchair for 40 years, Grant uses the Bridging Communities funded latest technology Easystand for half an hour each day and immediately noticed how it freed up his internal organs and is a welcome relief to the monotony of being in the sitting position. Grant's other benefit is that the weight bearing bones are supported, preventing further broken bones - he's had enough broken bones in his lifetime!

Many children, particularly children with autism, experience difficulty in falling asleep. Bridging Communities funded 63 weighted blankets, tailored to each child, which enabled most of the children to fall asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed. At a cost of $200 each, the blankets were cost-prohibitive to many families, especially those families with multiple children on the autism spectrum.

Supporting Dads of children with a disability is vitally important so they can swap stories, seek advice and understand that other families are going thru similar issues. Bridging Communities funded a get-together at a professional barbecuing course.

There are so many families needing assistance, and we are blessed to be able to react in a most timely manner to genuine need. Not only does bridging Communities help direct beneficiaries, we also auspice other groups wanting to fundraise for genuine causes by assisting them with a Charitable Collections Licence, Treasury and Governance.

For further information, contact us using our details below.