KELLY Gowland says she is "blown away" by the Goulburn community's support in recent weeks.
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As reported in the Post on June 20, Ms Gowland has health complications arising from a bad fall in 2010.
She has been hospitalised at the Bourke St Health Service for more than nine months, and still suffers pain.
Post readers have responded to her story with donations and other offers of help over the past month.
Ms Gowland says she has a long list of 'thank yous' to those who've helped her towards being mobile again.
She especially thanked an anonymous business owner who donated his late daughter's mechanical lifter.
"I remember looking after her for a while before she died [a few years ago], so he is returning the favour," she said.
"I also want to thank a lady called Pam Chesterton, who donated her father's fold-up electric wheelchair."
The wheelchair "will be fantastic for using around the house or to go to appointments", Ms Gowland said.
"I also want to send out a really important shout-out and thank you to Steve and the team from Goulburn Automotive.
"[They] fixed up my faulty wheelchair and didn't charge me, except for the cost of the battery.
"They even specially modified it so that there are no more stuff-ups with it, mechanically."
Other thanks included:
- Ross Kirkby from the St Vincent de Paul Society, who donated $500 through the G&F Cupitt Memorial Fund;
- Kylie Whitham, who threw an 'online party' and raised $1312;
- Jo O'Neill, who raised $636 from Scentsy sales;
- the Goulburn Breast Cancer Support Group, who donated $500;
- Justin Smythe and Adam Mortimer, who did a special beard shave and raised $1300. Justin's partner, Kristy Phelps, helped to organise it and also set up Ms Rowland's Go Fund Me fundraising web page.
- David Browne, Curves Goulburn, and Peter Hardy each donated $500
- a Coolavin Hotel raffle raised $200
- Dr Isabella Hawke of the ANU Rural Medical School donated $100
- John Sullivan donated $100 and "went out of his way" to sort out the Goulburn Automotive repairs.
"I also want to thank a pensioner who gave me an envelope with $50 in it and a Post-It note saying 'Sorry I couldn't give more, but I hope it helps you get home.' I thought that was really sweet," Ms Gowland said. "And thanks to our neighbour's sister Irene Morgan and George and Dianne Grey who donated money as well."
She also thanked Jim's Bean Machine for free daily upgrades of chai lattes for Ms Gowland and her family; and Felicity Luland and Leanne Boughton for a Bryant's 'pie-drive'.
The Go Fund Me page is at gofundme.com/hsuxh7ec
