BENNING FAMILY’S REMARKABLE GENEROSITY
The Benning family has been part of the Woolgoolga community for the past century, so a family gathering at the weekend to celebrate patriarch Kabul Benning’s 85th birthday was always going to be a huge affair.
Starting with one small leased banana farm in Greys Road in the early 50’s, Benning Family Trust has grown into one of the largest family owned Blueberry farms in the Woolgoolga area.
Coffs Harbour Health Campus discovered how huge when the family presented an amazing $50,000 donation to the hospital’s Renal Team on Saturday as a ‘thank you’ for their dedication in caring for Kabul who receives renal dialysis at the hospital three days a week.
More than 100 family members and friends gathered at the Coffs Harbour Ex-Serviceman’s Club Woolgoolga RSL Club for the celebration, where Kabul learned of the family’s generous gift in his name.
Kabul’s son’s Jas and Bob Benning said the donation was a practical way of helping other renal patients on the Coffs Coast while thanking the team who cared for his father.
“We’ve had a fair bit to do with the hospital over the years, especially when Dad had a heart attack back in 2014,” Mr Benning said.
“The hospital was great then, and as Dad’s kidneys failed, they provided a lot of support.
“The staff at the hospital have been very supportive, and it was a big relief to our family to have that support and to be able to keep Dad at home.
“Yes, it was Dad’s 85th birthday, but we also wanted to celebrate and acknowledge the doctors and nurses who have helped him, especially over the past four years.”
Divisional Nurse Manager, General Medical and Subacute Services, Heather Baker, and Renal Nurse Warren Sydenham, attended the birthday party and accepted the generous donation on behalf of the renal team.
“This is an incredibly generous donation from the Benning family on behalf of their much-loved father, grandfather and great grandfather,” Ms Baker said.
“Their gift will help our team of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to continue their excellent care of local dialysis and renal patients. We are looking at equipment we may be able to purchase as a result of this donation… equipment that will make a tangible difference to our patients for many years to come.
“We can’t thank the Benning family enough for their generosity, and for wanting to give back to their community in a very practical and caring way.”
From left to right
Divisional Nurse Manager, General Medical and Subacute Services, Heather Baker
Renal Nurse Warren Sydenham
Amer Kaur (Kabul’s wife)
Kabul Benning
Bob Benning
Jas Benning