Birthday girl gives best gift

THINK of how many delightful toys a two-year-old girl could buy for $440 in present money.  And then consider the worth of Pomona's Indi Fisher, whose favourite colour is pink, who has helped keep a Doonan centre dedicated to giving terminally ill people compassionate care and tranquil surroundings, in the pink.

Indi recently walked up to Katie Rose Cottage co-founder and manager Terry Clarke Burrows, proudly held out her pink money box (shaped as the number two) and said: "It's all for you".

Her proud mum Arana said Indi's birthday invitations read "please make a donation in lieu of a present".

Like too many families, the Fishers have been touched by cancer, with members and close friends facing that toughest of battles.

"Instead of receiving presents from friends and family, we set up a donation box for money to go to charity," Arana said.

"We held her party in the church hall in Pomona and around 30 people attended. The party was a huge success, with donations on the day totalling $440.

"In the months after Indi's birthday, our very dear friend Isabelle came to stay at Katie Rose Cottage.

"Indie spent time with Isabelle at the cottage and, in her words: 'I love Isabelle's new house'."

And this was how Indi's extraordinary act of kindness came about, with the Katie Rose volunteers and highly trained carers so impressed they have Indi's money box at the cottage for any further donations.

To them it serves as a perpetual reminder of a very special little girl.

"The hospice prides itself on ensuring its guests are cared for in a respectful and dignified manner, with the aim of allowing them to live in home-like surroundings until they die," a Katie Rose spokeswoman said.

Nursing support is provided around the clock and except for the costs of medication and dressings, the service is provided free. So, every dollar donated is precious.

This was their written response: "Indi, everyone at Katie Rose Cottage thanks you for your generous donation...foregoing your birthday presents and in the process bringing so much joy to the hearts of all at the cottage."

Noosa News
Peter Gardiner | 27th December 2011
Birthday girl gives best gift