More than 45 separate families
have benefitted from the Coast’s ‘home away from home’ since opening in May,
with Wishlist House providing comfort in a time of medical crisis.

The Fenton’s are just one family
who recently stayed at Wishlist House after Nanango grandfather Ned Fenton had
a tractor accident. 

The 87-year-old was working on
his acreage block west of the Sunshine Coast on September 5 when he had a
serious accident which left him with life-threatening injuries.

“The day before
Father’s Day our world was turned upside down,” Ned’s daughter Gina Uhlmann
recalls.

“We were in shock and devastated
to hear that our strong, independent, active, funny, loving father was being
transported from Nanango to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) after
a tractor accident.”

Ned’s wife of 29 years Steffy
Fenton travelled with family the 170km distance to Birtinya to be by her
husband’s side, staying at nearby Wishlist House as the large family gathered
to support Ned.

“Ned was in the Intensive Care
Unit at the time, thankfully there were positives each day,” Mrs Fenton said.

Ned broke nine ribs, his
collarbone, has grade three damage to the bones in his face, a lacerated liver
and bruising on his lungs.

“We have been overwhelmed by the
care of hospital staff and Wishlist House has been a God send,” Mrs Fenton
said. 

“When I walked into the home, it
was like a big warm hug,” Mrs Uhlmann added.

“It was a place for
us all to be together and download and comfort each other at night. To be able
to do that closeby makes such a difference.

“Through this most difficult
time when you feel displaced, confused and the uncertainty of our future with
our dad, husband, father-in-law, grandad and great-grandad we were so lucky to
be advised from staff of the fabulous new facility Wishlist House for family
and carers of loved ones in hospital.

“Dad is improving each day,
which I believe is also helped with the fact that he is able to have his family
close.”

The six-bedroom two-storey
Wishlist House was built by award-winning Coast builder Ausmar Homes and more
than 120 local businesses, while the land was purchased by 92.7 Mix FM’s Give
Me 5 For Kids appeal.

Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe said
there was a strong demand for the facility within walking distance to SCUH.

“This home away from home is
available for patients, families and carers
who need to stay close to SCUH while undergoing treatment, surgery or emergency
stays,” Ms Rowe said.

“The
Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS) catchment is one of the
fastest growing regions in Queensland.

“According
to the Primary Health Network, our residents are experiencing higher rates of
certain chronic diseases compared to the state average, and our hospital
admission rates are higher compared to similar regions in the state. Due to
this, we continue to seek out funding opportunities to provide more affordable
accommodation to support those needing the services of our major hospital.”

For more
information about Wishlist’s hospital accommodation facilities, please visit
wishlist.org.au or phone 5202 1777.

Wishlist
is the Sunshine Coast’s hospital foundation which funds vital medical equipment, services to support
patients and families, emergency accommodation and innovative local research
projects.

Donations
to Wishlist go directly to the cause, as Wishlist’s operational expenses are
covered by commercial enterprise, such as the Nambour Hospital carpark.