For people like Penny, a proud First Nations client living on Dharawal Country,
HammondCare Foundation’s Care Fund bridges the gap between crisis and stability.
‘I didn’t think anyone would hear me. I’d been let down before. I was just trying to hold on,’ shares Penny.
When Penny first connected with HammondCare, life felt like it was closing in. Chronic pain made sleep near impossible. Her fridge barely worked, and fresh food was a luxury she often went without.
Forced into medical retirement due to complex health conditions, Penny was suddenly living on a drastically reduced income. But when she mentioned her broken fridge to Sue Chadburne, a HammondCare Care Navigator, something shifted. Sue didn’t just listen – she acted.
The very next day, Penny was approved for a brand-new fridge through the Care Fund. ‘It floored me,’ she said. ‘I was overwhelmed. Suddenly I could keep food fresh. Cold water
on a hot day felt like a gift.’
Not long after the fridge arrived, Penny received a new mattress – one that eased her pain and helped her sleep through the night. The impact wasn’t just physical. It was deeply emotional.
‘I used to wake up in tears, and I dreaded going to bed, knowing when I woke up again, I'd be in pain. Now I start my day with energy. I’m eating properly again. Seriously, it’s changed everything.’
The HammondCare Foundation’s Care Fund was created to support people in our care who are facing hardship and have nowhere else to turn. It provides fast, practical help – like grocery vouchers, essential white goods, furniture, bedding, clothing, and one-off medical or utility costs – when other funding sources fall short.
The Care Fund has been made possible entirely by generous donations. Since its launch, it has helped dozens of people across home care, residential care and hospital services – restoring dignity, comfort and hope when it’s needed most.
Penny adds, ‘I feel seen and valued; I’m not just a name on a page. I know I matter now.’