ACTIVE: YMCA’s Ben Pettifer, Breathless Not Buggered secretary Helen O’Donnell, treasurer Kevin Hicks and president Des Kelly with Michael McKern from Empowering Eaglehawk. Picture: JIM ALDERSEY
A KIND donation from a local non-for-profit organisation in Eaglehawk will go a long way to help people with breathing difficulties.
Empowering Eaglehawk has donated a piece of exercise equipment to the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre, which will be used by members of Breathless Not Buggered.
Breathless Not Buggered is a support group made up of patients of the Stewart Cowan Rehab Centre in Eaglehawk and members find it difficult to exercise because of heart, respiratory and pulmonary problems.
Breathless Not Buggered group president Des Kelly said he was grateful to Empowering Eaglehawk for donating the piece of exercise equipment.
Mr Kelly said while the equipment was available to all gym members to use, it would especially benefit the group members.
“Empowering Eaglehawk really get behind our group and we are very thankful for this donation of equipment,” he said. “It will come in very handy for (group members) when we come in to exercise.”
Mr Kelly said as well as training together every Monday and Thursday, the group also shared social outings together.
Empowering Eaglehawk chairman Michael McKern commended the leisure centre on providing Breathless Not Buggered with a safe place to exercise.
Mr McKern said the organisation was always looking for groups to support and he encouraged others to apply for donations.
Bill Baker has been part of Breathless Not Buggered for two years and said it was comforting to know there were others who shared the same medical problems as him.
Mr Baker said he often got frustrated with his condition but said it was something he had learned to live with.
“I get really frustrated sometimes but it is something I have had to adjust to,” he said.
“It has been great being part of (Breathless Not Buggered) because you are surrounded by people who are in the same position as you.”
“They understand what you are going through and that really helps.”
