CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA receive their first Solar System!
We have officially announced the first clean renewable energy project of a CHOC accommodation facility which was made possible by the generous financial support of the Australian High Commission. Based close to the specialised paediatric oncology treatment centres, our accommodation facilities are a home-away-from-home where the children and teenagers who are undergoing treatment for childhood cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder can come and stay with their parents or caregivers. These houses provide families with access to the healthcare facilities for treatment which would not have been possible due to distance or financial restraints. The accommodation facilities provide a therapeutic environment that helps patients and parents/caregivers maintain a positive attitude during the cancer journey. All meals are provided, as well as transport to and from the hospitals. It is a clean and safe environment with caring and understanding staff, a place where new friendships are formed.
Hedley Lewis, CHOC CEO, was joined by Her Excellency, Gita Kamath from The Australian High Commission as well as MMC Health Cllr Rina Marx (City of Tshwane) and MMC Community & Social Development Cllr Peggy de Bruin (City of Tshwane). It was an intimate but prestigious event where we expressed how grateful we are for the new system implemented into our house and how we can start to filter the “going green” theme throughout CHOC.
The first of its kind addition to a CHOC facility, a Solar System, which will be a huge benefit to not only the Northern Region home but also to the environment. The use of this Solar System will bring assurance that our families will have hot water and a warm house in winter, our phones will always be charged, and meals will never be delayed. These seem like small items but play a big role when we want to make their stay as comfortable as possible, providing a home away from home. Hedley Lewis has said that “the money which will be saved from this system will be utilised within the house, bringing down our monthly running costs.” In addition to this, the other benefits of these include being pollution-free and causes no greenhouse gases to be emitted after installation. Reduced dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels. Renewable clean power that is available every day of the year, even cloudy days produce some power. Return on investment unlike paying for utility bills.
