By Derek Schlennstedt
The Grand Hotel Healesville has once again offered a helping hand to a cherished member of the Healesville community.
On 23 June, The Grand presented Sandra Donkin with $5000 which was raised by the hotel’s patrons and staff over several months to help ease her financial problems.
Since February, 2016 Sandra has faced a debilitating battle with breast cancer that has robbed her of her health and financial stability.
The fund-raiser for Sandra started in April as part of a donation box which The Grand runs every month for a charity of their choice.
Patrons are able to donate an amount of their choice to the donation box and after announcing that the donations would go toward helping Sandra Donkin, Michelle Schiavello, owner of the Grand Hotel Healesville said the donation box filled up very quickly.
Michelle said there was a big turnout for the presentation and that Sandra was overwhelmed with the best wishes.
“It was a huge turnout, the whole place was packed and everything went really well,” she said.
“Sandra was absolutely overwhelmed, both she and her family came and they were so very grateful and overcome with thanks.
“The money will hopefully give her some help with treatments and of course relieve her of some financial stress.”
