The relationship between Peter Blackshaw Real Estate and the Stella Bella Little Stars Foundation is more than just charity fundraising

Peter Blackshaw Real Estate donated $25,989 this week to the Stella Bella charity in a partnership that spans five years. Photo: Supplied.

Suzanne Tunks launched her Stella Bella charity in 2012 after learning first-hand about the struggles faced by families with seriously ill children and children in palliative care.

Suzanne’s daughter, Stella, changed the focus of the family through the little time that they shared. Stella’s short life alternated between hospital and palliative care at home.

Suzanne says she was keen to use that experience and knowledge to help other families going through a similar experience to theirs. She wanted to offer specific support for each and every family in Canberra with children living with serious and long-term illnesses.

This support ranges from financial support for petrol, food or accommodation to emergency helicopter flights to Sydney. It’s a vital service given the financial and emotional strains placed on families with seriously ill children.

It’s a service the team at Peter Blackshaw Real Estate is so passionate about. They have agreed to support the charity for the fifth year in a row in 2019. The relationship started four and a half years ago when Peter Blackshaw Real Estate had to decide between four charities seeking their support.

Narelle Casey, the Franchise Operations Manager at Peter Blackshaw Real Estate, says there was unanimous support within the team to back Stella Bella with a strong desire to be involved in a charity focused on kids in the ACT with real outcomes. Peter Blackshaw Real Estate donated $25,989 this week to the Stella Bella charity, which last year opened the Stella Bella Children’s Centre In Fyshwick. The money was raised through staff activities. This brings the total amount raised for the charity by Peter Blackshaw Real Estate to around $250,000.

Peter Blackshaw Real Estate offers more than financial support, with team members also involved in wrapping and delivering Christmas presents to the seriously ill kids and their families. It’s an indication of how much the relationship between the two organisations has blossomed.

Just as important has been the mentoring of the Stella Bella staff by Peter Blackshaw Real Estate principals and team members. According to Suzanne, it has been integral to the growth of the charity. It has given her confidence to know that she has the support of an organisation, that is so deeply involved in what Stella Bella achieves.