Perth residents display their might

Fifty Amana Living residents aged up to 90 have towed a 13 tonne truck through a popular mall strip in Perth’s CBD to kick start a month-long community fundraising campaign.

Amana Living residents take part in a truck-pulling fundraising event

Fifty Amana Living residents aged up to 90 have towed a 13 tonne truck through a popular mall strip in Perth’s CBD on Friday in an attention-grabbing stunt to kick start a month-long community fundraising campaign.

The novel public event held in Murray Street Mall raised funds for Amana Living’s new technology project, ‘iPad connect’, which aims to connect residents with training and equipment to use the tablet technology.

Throughout June, the ‘Give 50 campaign’, held in partnership with local radio station 6PR, asks the Perth community to each donate 50c to help raise $50 000 for the initiative. Donation boxes will be placed in Caffissimo cafés throughout metropolitan Perth so that the community can lend their support to the cause.

At 90 years-old, Rosa Panos, a resident of Amana Living Mandurah was the oldest person to take part in the physical display of teamwork and might.

The 13 tonne truck, which was emblazoned with the message, ‘It’s amazing what 50 can do!’, highlighted the importance of keeping older people active physically and mentally, says CEO of Amana Living, Ray Glickman.

He said initial results from an early trial of using tablet technology were very encouraging, and there was strong value in rolling out the program on a wider scale.

During a trial of the technology, Amana Living staff observed agitated residents and clients becoming noticeably calmer, and some who were normally difficult to reach becoming unexpectedly alert when using the technology.

“Older people need so much more than physical care – they need to stay connected with the world and people around them,” said Mr Glickman.

The funds raised will help to purchase iPads, accessories and apps and to reward student interns involved in the project.

Watch a video clip of the truck-pulling event here