Murdoch Gardens residents support Wheelchairs for Kids Australia
3rd November 2026 | 4 min readResidents at Murdoch Gardens Care Community are knitting blankets, creating handmade toys and raising funds to support children living with disability through Wheelchairs for Kids Australia. Working with the Rotary Club of Wangara, residents and team members contribute personally made items that accompany individually fitted wheelchairs donated to children in developing countries, while finding connection, purpose and wellbeing through a shared cause.
Perth based charity Wheelchairs for Kids Australia is a heartwarming example of what can be achieved when people of all ages and abilities unite behind a common purpose.
The organisation donates wheelchairs to children living with disability in developing countries. The wheelchairs are adjustable and designed for use on difficult terrain, giving children the mobility they need to participate more fully in life.
It is a cause that resonates deeply with residents at Murdoch Gardens, who bring their own special touch through our relationship with the Rotary Club of Wangara.
Caring through creativity
The wheelchairs are refurbished and built at Rotary’s Wangara workshop before finding their new homes overseas, complete with woolly blankets lovingly knitted by our residents and team.
Each Saturday, a group of residents gathers to knit blankets and have a ‘yarn’ over a cuppa. Led by resident Janet, it is an inclusive group where everyone is welcome. Lifelong knitters happily join in to knit, share tips and enjoy the stories.
For many residents, using their skills and passions to support young people is uplifting and supports their wellbeing. Resident Susan says the work brings her a sense of calm and peace.
For our team, it is also a great opportunity to learn new skills, with several team members surprising themselves with their newfound abilities.
“I’ve learned without realising I’m learning,” says wellbeing manager Refi.
Our group looks forward to regular trips to craft shops to pick and purchase wool, and families, friends, and visitors generously play their part by donating knitting needles and wool.
As well as knitting blankets, Janet creates unique dolls that she sells at our Care Community or donates to children receiving wheelchairs. Every dollar raised goes directly to Wheelchairs for Kids Australia.
“I feel so strongly connected to this,” says Janet. “It really keeps me going.”
Strengthening bonds in our local community and beyond
Residents recently visited the Wangara workshop for a tour and to meet the team whose work they are such an important part of.
As well as seeing the production of wheelchairs, residents learned about the stories of some of the children they have helped, with recent donations supporting children in Zambia and Bali.
The Rotary Club of Wangara also visits Murdoch Gardens regularly to collect donations and share updates from Wheelchairs for Kids Australia.
“These visits are so meaningful,” says Refi. “The team from Rotary spend time with us, letting our residents know exactly how their work is directly changing the lives of underprivileged children for the better.”
“It inspires us to do even more.”
Wheelchairs for Kids Australia CEO Greg Hebble says community groups such as Murdoch Gardens make an important contribution to bringing an extra smile to children when they receive their wheelchairs.
“Every wheelchair we send goes out with two toys and a knee rug. One toy is always handmade and all our rugs are new and handmade with love. We sent out over 5,500 rugs and knitted toys in the last 12 months.”
“Every wheelchair is individually fitted to the child, so a session can take two to three hours to make sure the child is safe and comfortable. Having the toys makes a big difference to keeping the child amused and distracted.”
“We’re very grateful to the residents at Murdoch Gardens Care Community for their continued support.”
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Commonly asked questions
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Residents and team members at Murdoch Gardens Care Community knit blankets, create handmade toys and raise funds to support children receiving wheelchairs through Wheelchairs for Kids Australia. Families, friends and visitors also contribute by donating wool and knitting needles.
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Wheelchairs for Kids Australia provides individually fitted, adjustable wheelchairs to children living with disability in developing countries. The wheelchairs are designed for use on difficult terrain and are accompanied by handmade items, including toys and knee rugs.
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The inclusive knitting group gives residents an opportunity to use their skills and passions while contributing to a meaningful cause. It also brings residents together for creativity, conversation and connection, supporting a sense of calm, purpose and wellbeing.
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The Rotary Club of Wangara collects handmade items and donations from Murdoch Gardens Care Community and shares updates about the children supported through Wheelchairs for Kids Australia. Residents have also visited Rotary’s Wangara workshop to see how the wheelchairs are produced and learn more about the impact of their contributions.