Monty's memory helping sick kids
NORMALLY it's the parents job to teach their children life's lessons, but little Montenna Wendt had other ideas.
Born with a terminal brain tumour at just 32 weeks in 2006, Montenna was a miracle for her parents Cindy and Dale and big brother Western.
"She was such a beautiful, strong little girl - really courageous," said Cindy at the Rockhampton Showgrounds this week.
After surviving her stay in hospital in Brisbane, Montenna was brought home to the family's cattle property near Mundubbera.
Months of intense physical care followed for the Wendt's daughter, affectionately nick-named Monty by her brother Western.
"I'm a registered nurse so I could provide a lot of her care, but because it was so intense I was in Brisbane more than I was home," Cindy said.
"It was hard to have the family separated and even when we were home we felt so isolated."
Cindy said the couple researched in-home help for Monty, but found nothing.
"We were exhausted - physically and emotionally - but there wasn't any help," she said.
"It shouldn't have to be that hard."
In 2008, at just two-years-old Montenna lost her battle, leaving behind a grieving family, but also an important legacy.
"Her inspiration taught us what we needed to do to help other families," Cindy said.
And that's exactly what Cindy and Dale are doing.
Two years ago they started Monty's Foundation, a charity raising funds to provide in-home respite care to terminally-ill children in rural and remote areas, and so far they have raised more than $70,000.
The couple are at Beef Australia 2012 this week and are hoping to reach their target of $150,000 by the end of the exposition.
"We want to buy a motorhome and hire qualified nurses to go out to the properties and provide that support to families," Cindy said.
"We're already providing referrals and counselling support because there's a lot of help out there people don't know about."
Cindy and Dale will sell merchandise, raffle tickets and take donations at the Monty's Foundation stall in the Robert Schwarten Pavilion.
Cindy said they would be reaching out to families in the Rockhampton region and encouraged people to come up and have a chat.
"It's something that's in desperate need and we're going to make it happen."
To find out more visit http://www.montysfoundation.net.
It shouldn't have to be that hard.
