The team at Fitzgerald Aged Care in Windsor were honoured to receive an unexpected bequest of $116,000 from a long-standing Hawkesbury resident, Margaret Lee, who passed away earlier this year.
Rhonda Hawkins, Board Director and Consultant at Fitzgerald, said the donation was "wonderful news" and would help the aged care facility continue providing top-notch care to their residents.
"We did not know Margaret personally, so it is even more amazing that she chose to honour our residents with a donation which will allow us to provide even better support to them," Ms Hawkins said.
"We care very much about our residents and are committed to looking after their health and wellbeing. We also know that older Australians are the bedrock of our community - and the bequest from Margaret is an outstanding example of the generosity of spirit and love for the community so evident in the Hawkesbury."
Ms Hawkins said donor Ms Lee had bestowed similar gifts to other aged care facilities in the region, demonstrating "her desire to see our older community members live well in a home-like and welcoming environment."
"The growing financial difficulties which so many aged care facilities have encountered has meant Fitzgerald has, over the last few years, had to manage with reduced income as well as ensuring we keep our costs under close control," said Ms Hawkins.
"The gift from Margaret takes some of the pressure off our finances this year and given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic these funds will make an incredible difference to our facility and the lives of our residents this year."
"Vale Margaret Lee."