A HOMEMADE lasagne led Linda Preston to volunteer as Care and Concern co-ordinator five years ago at Stuartholme School, Toowong.
“The impetus for me to take on this role came about because of my own personal experience many years ago when my oldest child was very ill and in the Mater Hospital with meningitis at the age of 10 months,” she said.
“After spending the long days in hospital the last thing I felt like doing was coming home and cooking a meal for myself and my husband.
“A friend came into the hospital and told me that she had left a lasagne at my front door (and) I promptly burst into tears as I thought it was the kindest thing that had happened to me, especially during that stressful week.”
While her daughter “made a perfect recovery” Linda joined Care and Concern to give others the same support.
“Over the last four or so years we have helped many families in time of need,” she said.
“These situations of need may arise because of a severe illness or death in the immediate family or some other personal adversity, in particular the recent floods where a number of families were directly affected.
“The aim of the Care and Concern group is not to take over from existing family and community support networks but to be a further layer of support as needs arise.”
Linda said all help is given “with utmost confidentiality and discretion” while the group also assists boarders of Stuartholme School, who may not have family closeby, to “provide transport for the girls who need to go to certain medical and dental appointments”.
“This gives reassurance to the boarding parents that their daughter is being cared for as well as helping to bridge the gap between day and boarder parents,” she said.
“(And) another way that we help the boarding community is that we provide birthday cakes for the Grade 8 boarders.
“This help the girls settle into life away from home.”
The January floods affected about 20 Stuartholme families.
“As the school was still on summer holidays many families were away or did not have power to receive the emails calling for help,” Linda said.
“Those who could help were invaluable and meals were provided to help reduce the terrible stress that these families endured.
“Of course it was also difficult for the school to identify those families that had been affected and to what degree.
“We have also been trying to assist the families who needed furniture and basic help to get them back into their homes and reality.”
Linda gives a “sales pitch” to new parents of the school to help, saying it’s “a wonderful, invaluable group to be part of and a group that holds no meetings”.
Her youngest daughter completes schooling this year and Stuartholme requires a new face to take over the outreach role.
To assist contact the school on (07) 3369 5466.
