A Toowoomba car yard donates tenth car to families in need

Thanks to another generous donation from Cheap Cars Toowoomba, this family is able to get their lives back on track.

The last three years have been an uphill battle for single mother Deanne Carey after her car blew up, leaving her to navigate Toowoomba’s hit-and-miss public transport with two-year-old son Jax and a chronic ankle injury.

But thanks to a generous donation of a 2004 Holden Commodore from Cheap Cars Toowoomba, Ms Carey and her son, Jax’s luck is about to change.

Jax and mum Deanne Carey in their 2004 Holden Commodore donated by Cheap Cars Toowoomba, in conjunction with Lifeline. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“This is going to change everything for us,” Ms Carey said.

“Having a car means we no longer have to struggle just to get from point A to point B, which is getting more and more difficult as I need to have surgery done on my ankle very soon.”
Born at just 28-weeks, five-year-old Jax is living with a number of complications that require specialist appointments across the city.
After a central component blew up inside their last vehicle leaving them without any mode of personal transport, single mother Ms Carey was left to continue paying off the car, leaving the family with very little funds for a backup purchase.

“Public transport just can’t get us everywhere so it was always a major hassle trying to get to his doctors as well as to Toowoomba West Special School in Newtown where Jax goes,” she said.

“I’m just so grateful to our case worker Glen Guivarra from Lifeline for helping to arrange this donation and for helping get Jax to school for the last six months.

“I don’t think anyone knows who debilitating and frustrating being without a vehicle can be until they are without one themselves.

Deanne Carey (left) receives the keys to her 2004 Holden Commodore from Cheap Cars Toowoomba manager Les Hollist. Picture: Kevin Farmer

This latest donation marks the tenth vehicle Cheap Cars Toowoomba have donated to the Toowoomba community with manager Les Hollist proud to be giving back to his community.

“We like to think of it as giving a family a hand up, not a hand out,” he said.

“This gives local families who have been struggling a chance to get back on their feet again and gives them the freedom and independence they need to move on with their lives.

“A special thanks to Ultratune Hill Street, Garden City Tyres and Horton’s Auto Electrical and Mechanical for contributing their time and services to making sure this car was in tip top shape for Jax and Deanne.”

Lifeline Toowoomba CEO Derek Tuffield said this was a life-changing moment for the Carey family.
“We’re so grateful for the partnership we’ve been able to build with Cheap Cars Toowoomba who have now changed the lives of ten Toowoomba families through their generous donations,” he said.

At the handover (from left) Deanne and Jax Carey with Cheap Cars Toowoomba manager Les Hollist and Lifeline Darling Downs and South West CEO Derek Tuffield as she picks up her 2004 Holden Commodore generously donated by Cheap Cars. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We spend a lot of time making sure we’re matching the right car with the right family depending on their needs and circumstances and we are confident Deanne and Jax were the perfect match for this Holden Commodore which will prove to be a reliable, safe family car for many years to come.”

The generosity was not lost of Deanne who couldn’t help but shed a few tears at the incredible act of kindness.

“My Jax has battled his whole life and we’ve done it tough for quite some time now,” she said.
“Now thanks to Cheap Cars and Lifeline, I don’t have to see his little heart break anymore.”

Jax and mum Deanne Carey in their 2004 Holden Commodore donated by Cheap Cars Toowoomba. Picture: Kevin Farmer