Congratulations to Claire Routledge, a long-standing volunteer and philanthropic supporter of The Bays, who was awarded honorary Life Membership of The Bays Healthcare Group at our recent Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Claire has made an outstanding contribution to The Bays, volunteering for more than 10 years in our gift shop, and now continuing on as a knitter. Her generous donations have also made a considerable impact, enabling us to purchase vital medical equipment including for our new Cancer Care Centre that’s under construction.
Claire’s family have a long history with The Bays stretching back to its beginning in 1937, when it was affectionately known as ‘The Bush’. Claire’s late husband Wayne was born in Mornington in 1935 in a house in Tanti Avenue, which was called The Cottage Hospital.
Wayne’s father Dale Routledge, together with other business people in the town saw the need for a better local hospital, and they formed a committee to work towards this end. Dale was one of the original locals who fundraised for the hospital to be built, and served as secretary for a year from 1938-1939.
Wayne spent the last week of his life at The Bays Hospital, and Claire said he was cared for so well that she wanted to give back in his memory. A plaque featuring Wayne’s name was placed on the piece of equipment that was purchased with her donation.
Thank you Claire for your extraordinary contribution and commitment to The Bays.
Pictured: Claire at our AGM with her son Scott, daughter Sue and grandson Callum.
If you would like to give in thanks of care like Claire, you can donate online.