Sweet joy for HammondCare residents

Residents of dementia care specialists HammondCare are in for a treat – or treats – when the lolly trolley does its rounds.

Built to distribute sweets such as musk sticks, marshmallows, liquorice all-sorts, and jellybeans, the trolleys are the handiwork of retired cabinetmaker Wayne Gallagher.

Mr Gallagher’s connection with HammondCare began as a volunteer visitor. When, for health reasons, he was no longer able to visit, he decided to contribute in another way.

“So it was wonderful to be able to work out a way from my own home to continue to help,” said Mr Gallagher.

Initially, Mr Gallagher built two lolly trollies for HammondCare’s Waratah and Cardiff sites in New South Wales.

HammondCare was so impressed with the workmanship, that the provider ordered six more for its facilities elsewhere in NSW at Darlinghurst, Woy Woy, Wahroonga, Miranda, Horsley and Hammondville.

While the material costs of the trollies – built in Mr Gallagher’s garage at his home in Fern Bay – were largely met by a grant from the HammondCare Foundation, labour was free of charge.

HammondCare volunteer coordinator Emma Egglestone said the lolly trollies bring enormous joy to residents. “You can see it in their faces.”

Main image: HammondCare chief executive Mike Baird and volunteer Olivia Atkins next to a lolly trolley

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