Hayley’s all smiles with her new chair

By Kelly Yates
A BERWICK family is thanking the community for donations towards a new wheelchair worth $14,500 for their six-year-old daughter.
Sharlene and Paul Bennetts say the specially modified wheelchair will allow Hayley, who has cerebral palsy, to move around more comfortably.
“This wheelchair will give her a massive increase in independence,” Mrs Bennetts said.
“At the moment, she relies on others to push her around. The new one will be motorised, so she’ll have full control of it.”
Mr Bennetts said his daughter had out grown her previous wheelchair.
“This chair is long overdue. A $12,000 communication device will also be able to be mounted on the new chair, allowing her to communicate with her peers and teachers.”
Hayley was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth.
“She wasn’t breathing when she was first born,” Mr Bennetts said.
“It was a worrying time for us. Then after 10 days of tests at the Mercy Hospital for Women, doctors said she had cerebral palsy.”
Hayley’s parents describe her as a “cheeky and funny girl.”
“She is always willing to give everything a try,” Mrs Bennetts said.
“She makes the most out of life with a disability. We’re very proud of her.”
Hayley goes to both Berwick Primary School and the Nepean School.
“She spends two days a week at Berwick learning mainstream education and then three days at the Nepean where she learns life skills,” Mr Bennetts said.
The couple say they feel lucky and honoured to receive the money towards the wheelchair, which was raised by Kmart customers in support of Variety, the Children’s Charity.
Helping local kids to achieve their full potential is what inspired Kmart to launch the fundraising initiative with Variety.
Through donations made at coin collection boxes at Kmart store registers during March and April, customers have been helping provide the gift of education and achievement for local children with special needs through various programs and activities.
Kmart Fountain Gate manager Sean McCann said over the past couple of months, customers had raised more than $60,000 for Variety nationally, with over $800 coming from Fountain Gate customers.
“It is great that our customers can help children achieve their potential and realise their dreams,” he said.