A five-month long Relay will be launched at BCS Yallambi Centre in Carlingford by 65-year old care provider BCS on Tuesday 21 April, supported by local dignitary Ms Tanya Gadiel, Member for Parramatta.
Six local BCS staff, clients and volunteers will carry the “Hands of Care” baton, alongside Ms Gadiel, travelling down Pennant Hills Road and Martins Lane to finish at the BCS Carlingford site.
BCS Yallambi Centre on Pennant Hills Road was BCS’ first aged care centre and holds a special place in the strong history of the organisation.
Yallambi’s foundation stone was laid in 1951 and the centre was officially opened in 1953 by then Lieutenant-Governor and Chief Justice of New South Wales the Hon. KW Street.
Staff and volunteers from a variety of BCS’ local care services will be united in the anniversary celebration, including respite facilities Robertson Centre and Willmette Cottage (Carlingford), BCS Care Centre – Seven Hills, youth residential facility BCS Leith House (Pennant Hills), retirement village BCS Hayfield Village and aged care centres BCS Yallambi Centre, BCS Hayfield Court and BCS Waldock Centre (Carlingford).
The relay will make its way from its launch on April 21 across all BCS regions, with 16 events heading as far north as Alstonville, south to Canberra and west to Parkes. The Relay will conclude in August.
Copies of a special commemorative news sheet are being carried in the packaged-theme baton, capturing the spirit of how special news was delivered in 1944.
A special celebration ceremony will be held at each venue, followed by a thank you lunch, morning or afternoon tea, where BCS will salute the great work of staff and volunteers providing hands of care to BCS clients.
“Increasingly in our communities we can identify growing community needs, among the aged, families living with great pressures, youth at risk, the poor and others struggling with disadvantage and distress,” said Dr June Heinrich, Chief Executive Officer of BCS.
“The BCS vision began in 1944 with a small group of men and women; united together in faith and a vision to express Christ’s love in practical ways to people in need.”
“As our relay passes from one hand to the next across NSW and the ACT, we are reminded of the privilege that each of us have to use our “hands of care” in meeting the unmet physical, emotional and spiritual needs of others in the community,” said Dr Heinrich.
For more information visit our "Hands of Care" Relay page.