Elderly man donates $38K to Yarrabah School in Aspendale

WHEN the assistant principal of a special needs school picked up the phone, she had no idea of the surprise the 92-year-old caller would have in store.

The Yarrabah special needs school at Aspendale has a new fitness track thanks to an anonymous donor who handed the school a cheque for $38,000. The school students now have a great new outdoor fitness track with exercise and activity stations. (L-R) Bailey, Callum, Tyler, Hayden and Ross. Picture: Chris Eastman

TEENAGERS at Yarrabah special needs school in Aspendale have a new lease on life thanks to an extremely generous old man.

The 92-year-old donated $38,543 after hearing the older students at Yarrabah School needed outdoor activity.

An out-of-the-blue phone call to assistant principal Sophia Adamis set the wonderful chain of events in motion.

“An elderly gentleman called and asked if he could visit the school because he had heard at Rossdale Golf Club that they raise money for us and he would like to donate,” Ms Adamis said.

“I invited him to the older students’ assembly, where he was welcomed by the captains who walked him on a tour of the school.”

Ms Adamis talked about the need to revitalise their outdoor space, especially for the older students who had specific needs.

Bailey takes on the tyre challenge.

“He asked us to put a letter together outlining what the children needed,” she said.

Teacher Brendan Mattheson drew up a list of things for an exercise space, expecting him to choose one, but the man wrote back, praising the school and enclosing $38,543 for all of the equipment.

Last week, the students used their new exercise yard for the first time.

Mr Mattheson said the teenagers were thrilled.

“This type of focused activity is so important for our students,” he said.

“Many parents won’t ever have seen their children exercising and they were so happy to see that.

“A big thank you to our generous benefactor.”