Local philanthropists Roy and Nola Thompson have answered the call of one of the Sunshine Coast’s leading charities to donate $2 million to open an Australian-first facility in Birtinya.

Wishlist has today announced Mr and Mrs Thompson have donated $2 million towards Wishlist Centre – Australia’s first facility to provide affordable patient accommodation, primary healthcare and complementary therapies under one roof.

Currently under construction opposite the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH), services to be offered within the four-level Centre struck a chord with the Thompsons.

“We were particularly inspired by the adolescent and young adult support Wishlist Centre will provide,” Mr Thompson said.

“These are our young people and our families – the future of Australia.  I believe we all have a role to play in providing a solution to a growing problem so Nola and I are proud to give to a project that will help to keep our kids out of hospitals.”

Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe said the donation came as Wishlist began their virtual brick appeal to raise an additional $2 million by 2022 to make Wishlist Centre all it must be for patients and families.   

“It was the most surreal day when I sat down with Roy and one of our Mental Health clinicians Dr Rachael Taylor to talk about the growing issue we have on the Sunshine Coast with youth mental health and how Wishlist Centre will be providing a space for vital support services and programs,” Ms Rowe said.

“Roy and Nola have answered the call and thanks to their $2 million gift to Wishlist Centre, we are now able to focus on furnishing and providing finishing touches to the Centre, and our $1.9m commitment to support families in our local hospitals this year.

“We are extremely grateful to Roy and Nola for helping us achieve our ambitious target of raising $2 million by 2022 and our vision to enhance public healthcare on the Sunshine Coast for countless patients and families.”

When open next year, Wishlist Centre will support patients and their families requiring ongoing treatment at SCUH. In addition to 18 patient accommodation rooms, Wishlist Centre will provide cancer support services, a low or no-cost GP service, youth mental health programs and more.  

The Thompson's will be recognised within Stage One of Wishlist Centre with the building named after the philanthropic couple.

Locals and businesses can still support Wishlist by donating a Virtual Brick this Christmas and forever be acknowledged within Wishlist Centre. Each virtual brick is valued at $20 and is tax-deductible.

WISHLIST CENTRE FAST FACTS:

• Wishlist Centre will provide transitionary care accommodation to support patients and their families whilst having ongoing treatment.
• The facility will offer unique, no-cost and low-cost services – including a GP service - that will benefit patients and families staying within the facility and the wider community.
• The four-level $14 million Wishlist Centre (Stage One) has commenced construction and is supported by a $12 million Federal Government grant through the Australian Government’s Department of Health, Community Health and Hospital Program, secured by Federal Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace.