A quirky fundraising idea has born fruit for Lillier Lodge, which has received thousands of dollars in donations from well-wishers in the community.
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The cancer lodge has set up a fundraising tree, with donors buying a metal leaf to help support a family stay in Wagga while their loved ones undergo treatment.
Lilier Lodge manager Margaret Dalmau said the money was a genuine life-saver, especially since most other fundraising events were cancelled this year due to the coronavirus.
Ms Dalmau said lockdown had been extra heartbreaking for these families, who were doing it tough even at the best of times.
"People here are all stressed, and we are so used to giving them hugs and we can't do that anymore," Ms Dalmau said.
"We call this a home away from home and a safe haven, so we want to make them feel at home."
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The latest leaf was bought by schoolteacher and Murrumbidgee Rotary president Cameron Abood, who said it was the least they could do given the circumstances.
On a typical year Mr Abood and his fellow Rotarians made visits the lodge to cook dinner for the families and lend a sympathetic ear to their plight.
The club will not be able to host a dinner this year due to lockdown restrictions, but Mr Abood said they could at least buy a leaf and lend a financial hand to families in need.
"Everyone's got their different story, their journey they're experiencing at the moment, and it means a lot to them to have a bit of a normal night away from the hospital talk and all the negatives," Mr Abood said.
"It's fantastic to be able to come in and keep supporting those people that are going through such a tough time at the moment."
Lodge worker Alison Casnave said some volunteers were insistent on showing solidarity for the families even at a distance, leaving home-cooked meals at the door as a gesture of their support.
"In place of coming in and cooking a beautiful dinner here they're baking at home and bringing it in," Ms Casnave said.
"Everyone really appreciates it."