Funds needed to help elderly stay in town

'They have friends and if they move they find themselves completely isolated especially when they have been lived in the area for 30 years.'

FUNDS NEEDED: The association is calling on the communities support to help build the first two by two bedroom Independent Living Units at the Scott Haven site in Blackbutt. Picture: Thinsktock

PROVIDING the opportunity for Blackbutt residents to stay in town is a top priority for the Blackbutt and Benarkin Aged Care Association.

They are calling on the communities to help to make it happen.

"The population is getting older by the day and there is a big number of people live on acreage so once they get to certain age it becomes different to look after," treasurer of the association Emeric Charles said.

"But they are still able to look after themselves and not ready to go into age care and they have one option now to sell up and go to Toowoomba or the Sunshine Coast.

"They have friends and if they move they find themselves completely isolated especially when they have been lived in the area for 30 years."

The association is calling on the communities support to help build the first two by two bedroom Independent Living Units at the Scott Haven site in Blackbutt.

"Having the units we can provide an option and people can stay in the community where they have but their life," Mr Charles said.

"There is a demand for it there are people ready to move in so it is important that it is completed."

The association has received a Commonwealth Government grant of $204,740 to set the wheels in motion but are $50,000 short of their total.

The association has set the target to raise $50,000 in five months and businesses in the community have rallied behind the project to play their part.

There are donation tins at the Blackbutt Post Office, Blackbutt Medical Centre, Bunya Nut Café, Main Street Realty, Blackbutt IGA and Yarraman Real Estate to contribute to the fund raising effort.

All donations are tax deductible because the association is a registered charity with public benevolent institution status.

"Once we have the 50,000 we will try and generate more donations so we have money to build two more units," Mr Charles said.

For more information and to donate search for Blackbutt and Benarkin Aged Care Association on Facebook.