Little Grubbs Orchard: Gold Coast charity established following family’s cancer, autism diagnoses

A Gold Coast family living with development roadblocks is leaving doctors agape with their own self-started support service - and here’s how you can help too. Read about their fundraiser.

A Gold Coast foundation helping families living with kids’ autism and developmental needs will host its first-ever fundraiser this week.

Little Grubbs Orchard - providing behavioural support, occupational therapy and therapeutic programs for kids with neuro-developmental conditions - wants people to dig deep at Friday’s Southport Yacht Club luncheon.

Liam and Lily Grubb. Picture Mrs Smith Photography

The spark for the foundation started when the Grubb family found out then three-year-old Liam had autism - mum Lily Grubb said services they turned to for help deemed him “low-functioning and incompetent”.

Liam was diagnosed with non-verbal stage three autism – the most challenging level – and global developmental delay.

The Grubbs started Little Grubbs Orchard from home, having moved to the Gold Coast from Perth seven years ago. Soon after relocating, in a double blow, they discovered Liam’s grandmother Bernice was terminally ill.

The Grubbs regard Bernice as the foundation’s inspiration, with Lily recalling how her late mother-in-law would say “everybody can learn, you just need to believe”.

“She said, ‘When I go, you need to fix this’,” a teary Lily said.

“Even though I get emotional talking about it, these are not tears of sadness, they’re tears of joy because she could see something I just couldn’t back then.

“I used to say ‘Mum, I’m in HR, how am I going to fix this?’ but she said ‘Not to worry, build it and they’ll come’.”

Bernice Grubb.

Bernice Grubb and grandson Liam Grubb.

Despite her deteriorating health, Bernice was determined to help.

“She used to go and have chemo and radiation at Gold Coast University Hospital, she’d be in there for 30 minutes, and I’d pick her up and we’d travel around to different services,” Lily recounted the early days following Liam’s diagnosis.

Lily said another hurdle was the inflexibility of other providers, with families often locking in expensive care.

“Liam was in a place we had to book in for six hours a day, non-negotiable. It was $2000 a week and the only way we could afford it was when Mum got access to her super after her terminal diagnosis.”

Liam grew alongside Little Grubbs, progressing and smashing expectations.

“They said he’d never talk, never toilet train, but now he’s talking, singing and been toilet trained since he was four,” Lily said.

“All those doctors we have gone to, now see Liam and just stare at me with a blank look. He’s blown them all away.”

Liam and Lily Grubb. Picture Mrs Smith Photography

Little Grubbs Orchard’s Lily Grubb. Picture Glenn hampson

A Little Grubbs parent sung the charity’s praise to his boss at luxury home builder, Blackwood Building Co, and asked if the firm could do anything to help out.

It evolved into a partnership, with Blackwood currently undertaking a major project to expand the charity’s facilities, with all time and resources donated.

“(The dad) told them our new space hadn’t been renovated in 25 years, it wasn’t really functional, and it just took on a life of its own,” Ms Grubb said.

“It’s incredible, I’m just so humbled and grateful.”

CEO Lily Grubb getting stuck into renovations with other Grubb team members in the building. Picture Glenn hampson

Now, renowned emcee and Blackwood’s head of acquisitions and sales Glenn Moat will take the stage at Little Grubbs’ first ever fundraiser luncheon this month.

“First of many hopefully,” Ms Grubb said.

“The fundraiser means these kids have a safe space to develop, grow, and build skills so when they’re an adult they can have a job instead of being sedated in a home.”

Tickets for Friday’s yacht club fundraiser start at $129, available through EventBrite, for food and drinks, an auction, and raffle.

“I want (it) to be really fun, and for people to walk out feeling more educated and inspired to make a difference,” Ms Grubb said.

Mr Moat won’t be the only entertainment in attendance, with special guest Lisa Woodham – an acclaimed psychic medium who often sells out 200-seat shows – set to appear, providing readings for guests at the luncheon.

“She’s got almost 7000 followers, so it was amazing for her to offer her services to us,” Ms Grubb said.