Celebrating bright, new accommodation for families

May 7, 2015

Very Special Kids celebrated the opening of its renovated family accommodation, and the success of the Chain Reaction Challenge Victorian riders, at a special event in one of the new family apartments.

The event was attended by riders from the Victorian chapter of the corporate cycling event Chain Reaction Challenge, who have collectively raised more than $2 million for the event’s charity partners over the past two years.

$563,000 of that has funded the Very Special Kids family accommodation renovation and the future creation of a Very Special Kids Garden of Remembrance.

Very Special Kids CEO Dr Sarah Hosking said the organisation is grateful to be supported by such passionate fundraisers.

“The Chain Reaction Challenge riders have worked tirelessly to not only complete a challenging ride, but also raise millions for charities like ours.

“Without their fundraising our family accommodation renovation would not have been possible,” she said.

The family accommodation has been transformed from three to seven bedrooms, across two separate apartments, and fitted-out with all new furniture and bright, contemporary home wares.

The increase in capacity will enable more families to be close to their child during a stay at the hospice or to access medical appointments in greater Melbourne.

Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation CEO John Ward said the organisation is a proud to have been able to fund the renovation.

“We hope that the through our efforts that a family’s stay at Very Special Kids is now more comfortable,” he said.

The renovation and fit-out of the family accommodation was also made possible by a number of generous suppliers who donated goods and services including Rothe Lowman, Montlaur Project Services, Slattery Australia, Tract Consultants, McKenzie Group and Cobolt Construction.