Students at Bendigo Special Developmental School (BSDS) are enjoying an upgraded gym thanks to a generous donation of professional fitness equipment from D-Club Fitness, made possible through connections by local disability support organisation Lifely, and the McKern Foundation.
The initiative began when Lifely, a Bendigo not-for-profit supporting people with disability connected BSDS with McKern Foundation as a sponsor for its Netball for All program, which recently expanded from adult teams into junior squads at BSDS.
During a visit to the school, Michael McKern, from the McKern Foundation observed that the school gym was in need of new equipment.
He then reached out to D-Club Fitness, located in Bath Lane, who responded with a generous donation of a wide range of professional grade gym equipment for delivery to the school.
The new equipment is designed to help students build strength, confidence, coordination and everyday life skills, all while making movement and exercise more enjoyable and accessible for young people with disability.
“When we visited BSDS and saw the gym, it was clear that better equipment could make a real difference for the students. We’re grateful D-Club stepped up the way they did – that’s Bendigo at its best.”
“Seeing young people with disability have access to quality facilities they can use every day is exactly the kind of outcome we want to be part of,” said Michael McKern, McKern Foundation.
The Netball for All program, run by Lifely, supports people living with disability to participate in netball in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Its expansion to BSDS junior students builds on an already successful adult program, which McKern Foundation has supported since its inception, including funding for equipment and matching team uniforms.
This outcome reflects what’s possible when local organisations work together with a shared commitment to their community.
