Picture waking up every day with the knowledge that you’re going to have to brush your 30-something-year-old daughter’s teeth, take her to the toilet and make sure she showers.

Then think about the fact that one day, you’re going to die – leaving your disabled child to fend for themselves.

That’s what life’s like for a group of ageing carers living in and around Castlemaine.

They’re tired and worn out and are desperate to give their disabled children the independence they’ll need to face the world on their own.

That’s why the Mount Alexander Shire Accommodation and Respite Group is working tirelessly to address the critical need for respite and accommodation services for people with disabilities.

The group of parents, carers and concerned community members plan to build a respite and community house at McKenzie Hill in Castlemaine.

They already have a 2.7ha block of land – they’re just waiting on more money to be able to go ahead with the project.

There’s $655,000 in the bank, but the group recently missed out on federal government funding, so they’re between $100,000 and $200,000 short on cash.

But group chairwoman Robyn Spicer says there’s no turning back and the group hopes to start building sometime this year.

They’re now calling on a central Victorian car dealer to donate a car to the cause and help make their dream come true.

“What we need is somebody to donate a car, a car dealer to donate a car, so we can raffle it and get a bit more money,” Ms Spicer said.

“If we could get that? Hallelujah.

“That would mean more to us than anything, really. You can get a lot of money from a raffle.”

Ms Spicer said the Mount Alexander Shire was desperately in need of a respite home. “It’s one of the few shires in the whole state that doesn’t have any, it’s been ignored,” she said.

“People with severe disabilities in the shire, if respite is needed, they have to go into hospital.

“That means we’re putting 30-year-olds into hospital so we can do what we need to do.

“It’s not just a holiday we’re talking about.

“Some of these parents are in their 70s who have to go into hospital themselves or have other issues they need to attend to. It’s really ridiculous.”

Ms Spicer is in her 60s and cares for her daughter Jessie, 30, who has severe intellectual and physical disabilities.

“Some of the carers around here are well into their 70s and they’ve been looking after people, without a break at all, for more than 40 years,” she said. “That’s 24 hour needs.

“I’ve been doing it for 30 years and my daughter’s very disabled and needs all the help with dressing and everything. It’s a long haul.”

MASARG is going to have to scale back its plans but the group hopes to turn the first sod at McKenzies Hill later this year.

“The bigger plans are going to have to be changed because we just won’t have the money,” Ms Spicer said.

“This house is going to target families in the Mount Alexander Shire because we haven’t got facilities but when there are vacancies it will be open to anybody that needs help in central victoria.

“So it’s not totally exclusive. This is relevant to people in Bendigo.”

Ms Spicer said people who wanted to find out more about the cause, donate money or get in touch with the group should visit www.masarg.org.au

Carers John and Jan Jenkin from Harcourt say it is vital the respite facility comes to fruition.

“We have a daughter, Narelle, who’s intellectually disabled and she’s nearly 35 and she’s living at home with us and it would just be nice to have a couple of days away,” Mrs Jenkin said.

“She’s high functioning but you’ve got to supervise her the whole time.

“Like when we were in Mildura one day and I heard John yell out, ‘Narelle’, and she was strolling back from the ensuite, back into the caravan with nothing on.

“You’ve got to watch her the whole time.”