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Broome charities the big winners

Two Broome charities are big winners after the sale of a charity home.

The four-bedroom, furnished, energy-efficient home, built by local company H & M Tracey Construction Pty Ltd with the help of local suppliers and contractors, sold for $729,000, with profits to be split between the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Kyle Andrews Foundation.

The RFDS’ money will go towards establishing a new base in Broome to bolster resources in the north and to meet increasing demand for its services.

The KAF’s money will go towards its next project, acquiring a property in Perth to accommodate families of Kimberley children needing treatment for leukaemia and other cancers.

RFDS Western operations chief executive officer Grahame Marshall said establishing a new Broome base was subject to sufficient funding, estimated at around $20 million.

A new base would require two new hangars, a patient transfer area, at least two more medically fitted aircraft and accommodation for staff.

“Broome is now our busiest patient transport hub in the north, with more than 600 patients moved to and from the town last year,” Mr Marshall said.

“We thank H & M Tracey for their incredible efforts in building this house and providing us with this generous donation.”

The Kyle Andrews Foundation was set up in 1998 after the death from leukaemia of 11-year-old Broome boy Kyle Andrews to support Kimberley families and children with cancer and leukaemia.

Secretary Anne Adcock said it was every parent’s worst nightmare to have a child diagnosed with cancer.

“The Broome community has been amazingly generous in supporting other foundation projects, including the building of Kyle’s Cottage, a place for unwell children and their families to have a holiday,” she said.

She said the foundation was extremely grateful to H & M Tracey and the suppliers and tradesmen.

Harold Tracey, from H & M Tracey, said: “The RFDS and KAF have helped so many people. We are proud to play a small part and be associated with these two charities.”