“Secret Santa” anonymously donates $2 million to help Gold Coast charity for sick kids

SANTA is real for hundreds of sick Gold Coast kids after a local man anonymously donated $2 million to charity just in time for Christmas.

Westfield Xmas wrap pics ... Santa / Christmas / Presents / Generic.

A GOLD Coast man has anonymously donated more than $2 million to a charity helping children battling debilitating illnesses.

The unexpected Christmas gift will help pay for a $3.3 million chronic disability respite centre being built in Labrador by MontroseAccess.

The extraordinary act of kindness brought Southport mother Tiffany Heddes to tears.

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Her son Bailey, 15, was born with muscular dystrophy and spends most days wheelchair-bound at home.

She regularly drives him to the nearest respite centre in Brisbane in an attempt to give him a normal life.

“Bailey has extremely low muscle tone and a very weak respiratory system,” she said.

“He is constantly ventilated and requires up to 20 injections a day to keep him pain-free.

“The respite centre will allow him to leave the house and lead as normal and fulfilling a life as possible. It will let him be a normal teenager with other children going through similar things.”

The generous donation shocked MontroseAccess president Paul Bird who said the same man had already donated $1.3 million to a similar project in Brisbane last year.

The $2 million gift is the largest in the organisation’s 81-year history.

“A civil society is one in which people concern themselves with the needs of others and take action to bring the collective resources of society together to meet those needs,” he said.

“Our goal is to inspire quality lives for the children who we serve and these two respite centres will do just that.

“We are absolutely delighted that this person stepped forward when our need for both these projects was made known.”

The centre provides care to children and young adults with disabilities and allows them to spend time with their friends in a safe environment.

Mrs Heddes said long waiting lists and increasing demand for a respite centre on the Coast had made it nearly impossible for parents to have a break.

“Up until now for us to have a break we have had to stay away from the family home which in a way defeats the purpose of a break as it costs money for accommodation and meals,” she said.

“There are no respite options for children other than Brisbane and those waiting lists are very long.

“The Gold Coast is the perfect place for a respite centre with our beautiful beaches, theme parks, shopping centres and great lifestyle which should be able to be enjoyed by all, including those with severe physical disabilities.”

For more information about MontroseAccess, head to montroseaccess.org.au.