Charity Walk 2018 & 2019

A flagship project, established with the foremost intention of helping others.

The purpose and intention

Attending school at Ananda, it was engrained in us from the formative years that taking initiative and seeking out opportunities to help those less fortunate was a duty of a good citizen. To that end, the Maroons Charity Walk held annually in Brisbane has become an ideal vehicle to make a difference, at least to some extent, in certain segments of our society.

OAAQ’s efforts have thus far been aimed at providing assistance to Sri Lanka, but the organisation currently holds aspirations of helping those in need in Queensland, or in the wider Australian community. In a climate where the Australian community is focusing on recovering from the recent bushfires, and in a time when the world is still coming to terms with a global virus outbreak, the OAAQ is aware that every effort, regardless of its magnitude, matters.

Apart from in 2017, when the surviving family of a former Sri Lankan Air Force officer was financially supported, the annual Charity Walk has placed particular attention towards helping rural hospitals in Sri Lanka.  In 2018, and in 2019, the OAAQ decided that funds will be raised to assist the Base Hospital in Pimbura Agalawatta, a region in the Western Province.

As reported by the hospital, it serves a community that has a relatively low‑income profile, consisting of mostly farmers, tea pluckers or tea estate workers. The hospital consists of four major specialty wards, out of which currently only the paediatric ward is functioning under a consultant. Given the overall challenges presently faced by the hospital, the OAAQ felt it was essential to lend a helping hand to this particular hospital’s paediatric ward, and in doing so purchase essential medical equipment to improve the care the kids in this region receive. With this overarching purpose in mind, the OAAQ set out to organise its annual walk in both 2018 and 2019. Members of the OAAQ Management Committee, in their capacity as volunteers, donated their time tirelessly to make sure that the project can be delivered to the highest standard and on time.

As with previous years, the necessary approval to raise funds in a public space was granted by the Queensland Office of Fair trading (Sanction number CP6207), while the entrance fee to participate in the walk was set at $10, again, consistent with previous years.

The day of the events

On the morning of 20 October 2018, and 21 October 2019, with the participation of more than 120 people on each occasion, the OAAQ successfully held the Maroons Charity Walk at the Berrinba Wetlands Walking Track, Browns Plains. On both these days, participants of all ages and many cultures enjoyed a leisurely walk of either 3 or 6 km in the serene environment of the Berrinba Wetlands.

Immediately following the completion of the walk, and as per custom, the participants were treated to a delicious BBQ lunch and a sing-a-long session. This provided an ideal setting for everyone to relax, enjoy some classic Sri Lankan tunes and catch up with other members of the community. In addition to past Anandians, their families and friends, the events welcomed Hon. Consul for Sri Lanka in Queensland, Mr Anton Swan, Sri Lankan community leaders as well as many Queenslanders of non-Sri Lankan origin.

As announced on both occasions, the OAAQ sincerely thanks all those who participated on the day, everyone who made donations, and anyone who assisted with making these events a resounding success. Collectively, both walks managed to raise funds close to $9000 (update as per financial statements).

Outcomes and executing the completion

The OAAQ holds no profit motive through this project, and all funds in its entirety were allocated to the intended cause of helping the Base Hospital in Pimbura Agalawatta.

Once all funds were collated, representatives from the OAAQ travelled to Sri Lanka, purchased the necessary medical equipment and completed the donation by visiting the hospital. The OAAQ extends its sincere thanks and appreciations to the hospital staff for the generous welcome and hospitality they provided on each occasion.

Prior the making the purchases the OAAQ had continued communications with the hospital doctors to ascertain the most essential and urgent items that were required, including recommended brands, specifications and logistics. Following these communications, funds raised in the 2018 walk were utilised to purchase;

• A refrigerator to store biological samples and vaccines in the paediatric unit
• Two auroscopes
• A dining table with chairs for the patients dining area and a food trolley for patients
• A patient trolley with a mattress (Paediatric)
• An audio system with speakers
• An emergency trolley

The funds in 2019 were directed towards purchasing a Phillips G30E/40E Patient Monitor. This machine allows for a multitude of uses, including being able to provide real-time data about cardiac and respiratory conditions, arrhythmia monitoring and invasive blood pressure monitoring.

In line with the conditions of approval for the Charity Walk, the audited financial statements of both these projects in 2018 and 2019 have been submitted to the Office of Fair Trading in Queensland. Although this formed the final step of the project for the two respective years, preparations and conversations about the 2020 Maroons Charity Walk are already underway. Its overall purpose, dates and methods of participation are presently being decided.

To obtain any further updates on the 2020 Walk, please follow the Association’s Facebook page on @OAAQinc or by writing directly to[email protected]. The continued generosity and support the OAAQ has received thus far is highly appreciated, and it is the organisation’s sincere wish that this generosity will extend in the years to come. From the OAAQ’s end, the organisation will continue its best efforts to locate circumstances in our society that require urgent attention, and continue its goal of attempting to make a difference in those segments of society that are less fortunate.