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Kaddy Transport has reached a milestone – assisting northern beaches locals in need for 40 years.

Dee Why RSL has enjoyed an enduring partnership with Kaddy, supporting their valued service for more than 10 years with funds well in excess of $100,000.

KADDY stands for Keen, Able and Disabled of Dee Why, and was first started in 1980 by Val Rayward, a matron at Royal North Shore Hospital. Val contracted polio and became confined to a wheelchair, and found that there were no community transport facilities available at the time. Val saw a real need for a means of transport for people with disabilities to meet medical appointments, so she started fundraising activities with the support of the Uniting Church at Dee Why, in order to purchase a bus.

“Sadly, Val passed away shortly before the delivery of the bus, never seeing her dream come true,” recalled Allan Hale OAM, longtime board member of Kaddy. “When we required a new vehicle in 1983, we arranged registration plates VAL-068 in memory of Val.”

Allan has been selflessly dedicated to Kaddy since 1983, when he first started volunteering as a driver for the service, on top of running his own business.

“I have made Kaddy my other family and for this I was rewarded with the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2013. At the time the Governor was Marie Bashir and she gave me a big hug as she handed me the medal, because we looked after her niece. I wonder what the audience thought!

During a typical year we would cover some 40,000kms, transport over 100 wheelchair clients and around 1800 walking clients.”

To be eligible, clients need to be over 18, be elderly and/or have a disability and live on the northern beaches. Kaddy will transport anywhere in Sydney metro at no charge, although ongoing clients do give a donation. Kaddy receives no government help, but relies on donations. There are three vehicles and several volunteers also utilise their own cars to take clients to medical appointments.

“In fact any worthwhile situation is looked at, and on occasions we have social outings,” added Allan.

“We are forever in debt to our great friends at Dee Why RSL who provide ongoing financial support through the benefit of funds received from Cash Housie at the RSL. Thanks again for all you do for us.”

If interested in utilising the service, or in volunteering, please contact Kaddy Transport Office on 9972 0242.