Reaction: Our story on July 19.
Relief: Justin, Eamon, 11, and Jodie McIntosh who use the after school care at Sylvanvale. Picture: Jane Dyson.
THE Sylvanvale Outside of School Hours (SOOSH) service has been saved for the time being thanks to the generosity of Shire and St George-based individuals and organisations.
Thomas Holt Villages chief executive Alexandra Zammit wrote a cheque for $7800 after reading about the organisation's plight a fortnight ago in the Leader.
Ms Zammit said cutting budgets for services such as after school care and aged care had devastating consequences.
"On a macro level it doesn't look like much money but when you apply it to the grass roots level it really hits the mums and dads and the community as a whole," she said.
Shire-based Kazacos Foundation, which favours donating to causes that make a real impact, donated $7000 to Sylvanvale.
St George Leagues Club has offered to assist with the funding, inviting Sylvanvale to apply for a special grant for $7800 and Ramsgate RSL has also expressed interest in donating to the service.
Wade and Sue Keys, of Bonnet Bay, made a donation of $1000.
"We were happy to assist as we are working parents and rely on care and we understand how essential SOOSH is for parents of children with a disability," Mrs Keys said.
The McIntosh family, who featured in the Leader's original story, were delighted by the response.
"It's a huge relief that SOOSH won't have to close down now," Mrs McIntosh said.