02/02/2026
💛 Good News Story | A Big Win for Help2Homes
On Wednesday 28th January, our Specialist Support Coordinator Julie received a phone call from one of her clients (let’s call her Molly).
Molly had just had scans on her ankle and discovered it was badly broken. She would need surgery and, in the meantime, was unable to place any weight on her ankle. She needed a wheelchair to get around until surgery and would likely need it afterwards as well.
Molly is blind, and unfortunately her funding would not cover the cost of a wheelchair. Even after explaining that she is a falls risk due to living alone with only a few hours of support per day, it was still deemed assistive technology that is not funded for someone with vision impairment. To have this approved would require extensive justification, documentation, and allied health reports, a process that could take months, with no guarantee of approval.
Julie contacted a company to check the cost of hiring a wheelchair. With Molly likely needing it for around six months, hiring at $35 per week would cost more than purchasing a basic wheelchair outright for $660. Molly, who is on a Disability Support Pension, was unable to afford either option.
Julie then thought of David, who works with RARE (Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment). RARE collects donated items such as wheelchairs, repairs or repurposes them, and makes them available to others in need. Julie contacted David, explained Molly’s situation, and without hesitation he said, “Yes, we can help.”
That very afternoon, Julie met David at the RARE warehouse and together they found a suitable wheelchair for Molly. Julie was amazed by the variety and volume of items available, all supported by dedicated volunteers. Some items are even sent overseas to countries less fortunate than Australia.
The smile on Molly’s face when the wheelchair was delivered made Julie’s day. While it may seem like a small win, for Molly it was a huge one, giving her back mobility, independence, and peace of mind while she recovers.
A heartfelt thank you to David and the incredible volunteers at RARE. You truly are superstars 💛
Link to RARE website:
https://rotaryaustraliarepurposing.equipment/
👉 If you or someone you support needs help navigating support options or advocating during challenging situations, we’re here to help.
📞 0421 203 112
✉️ info@help2homes.com.au
🌐 help2homes.com.au
