They have thrown their support behind the cause with a charity steer to be auctioned at this year’s exhibition to raise money for Youngcare apartments to accommodate younger people in need of care.

David and Prue Bondfield of Palgrove Charolais have donated the steer, named Top Dollar, to the project. It is prepared by the students of Warwick State High School under the watchful eye of John Barling and Pat Flynn with feed provided by Riverina Stock Feeds of Warwick.

Feed and transport companies from across Queensland have taken the project to heart as well and next week people in the local area will have an opportunity to support Youngcare when a semi-trailer load of barley hay and one tonne of Trugraz donated by Queensland Quality Hay and Produce of Gympie will be auctioned at the George and Furhmann store sale in Stanthorpe next Thursday, July 17 with all proceeds going to Youngcare. Darren Perkins and the George and Furhmann team of Warwick and Casino will take the bids.

John said, “ Please dig deep and help Youngcare. We have distributed bales in Warwick, Killarney, Stanthorpe and Tenterfield for people to view prior to the

sale.”

The project has also attracted support from the Wickhams transport fleet in Warwick who have literally taken Youngcare on board and onto the road.

John said, “The Wickham family threw their support behind Youngcare after hearing about the Youngcare EKKA charity steer and the work and goals of Youngcare. What great exposure to be out and about on this nation’s roads any where at any time. The Youngcare team and residents were amazed at the new mobile billboard.”

Pfizer Animal Health Australia is also supporting the project, along with Showtime Saddlery of Warwick, Horseware International and Acton Super Beef in Rockhampton.

The project was officially launched in Brisbane last week at the Youngcare apartments at Sinnamon Park in Brisbane.

Youngcare was formed at the inspiration of Shevaune Conry, whose battle with Multiple Sclerosis helped shed light on the complex issue of being a young Australian with high care needs. When her care needs became too great to handle at home, she, along with husband David, were forced to find full time care alternatives, only to discover that the care options for a young person in Australia today were both limited and highly inappropriate. In fact, over 6,500 young Australians with high care needs are currently living in aged care facilities, simply because there are no alternatives.

When the reality of Shevaune’s situation became apparent the four founding members of Youngcare, David Conry, Simon Lockyer, Nick Bonifant and Matthew Lawson were compelled to do something about it.

Through the combined support of the community, government and business, Youngcare has delivered on the first of their promises and has opened the first ever Youngcare Apartments on December 8, 2007. These apartments give 16 young people a more relevant, dignified and spirited way of life.

However, there is still so much more to be done, and Youngcare needs continued support to reach new goals such as holiday accommodation for young Australians with high care needs, travel assistance, in-home care and respite services.