This is a big congratulations and thankyou to local residents, groups and businesses who gave their support to the Northeast Health Wangaratta public appeal to fund two new state-of-the-art neonatal resuscitation cots, known as Panda Warmers. The generosity helped raise $70,000 to update the essential equipment to help provide a safe environment for newborns immediately after birth. That same generosity of spirit (and cash) will be needed in the future to help support Loaves and Fishes Christians Caring as they work to continue to provide their invaluable service after the federal government pulled the funding on one of its key partners Anglicare. Due to this decision the office in Ovens Street that was the home of Anglicare Victoria in Wangaratta will no longer be able to be the base for Loaves and Fishes Christians Caring operations after 1 January. Although other support services will still be able to provide emergency relief in the rural city, to continue the wonderful work of Loaves and Fishes Christians Caring the group needs to find a new home. It will either be through payment of a lease, in which case financial support will be needed, or it could be through a White Knight who has some appropriate accommodation available to provide free of charge or at a substantially reduced rate. Demand for emergency service relief is on the increase and there is no sign of that abating, and although the government said it has increased overall funding in response, it seems odd that such an organisation as Loaves and Fishes Christians Caring, with its track record, cannot be supported still.
