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er that he could control the ropes if I needed him to. From there I just went.”

It can be funny how things change. The shaky, nervous start to the abseiling experience soon dissipated by the halfway point.

“Once I reached this point I was started looking down, waved to my family and lowered myself down and bounced off the walls,” Venita said. “Reaching the bottom came too quickly and the first thing I said was ‘I want to go down again, right now’. It was an amazing feeling to conquer my fears and step out of my comfort zone.”

Venita’s mother was watching the 2021 Plunge from the ground and when Venita said she was backing up for this year’s event, her mum quickly signed up.

“Mum has just turned 70 and will now also abseil 70 metres,” she said, and that decision, inspired or pressured husband Allan into also getting involved.

Former, long time resident Gay Stoodley has also jumped on board, seeing the charity event as the perfect way to celebrate her 80th birthday.

“Gay jumped on the idea as she wanted to do something big to celebrate her upcoming 80th birthday and figured it was probably safer than jumping out of a plane,” Venita said. “She also liked the idea that it would combine with her love for fundraising. Gay has been involved in fundraising for many years for Ugandan children overseas and now for Ronald McDonald House. She has known Ezekiel all his life and seen the tremendous support we have received.”

That support from Ronald McDonald House comes in so many forms and Venita and Ezekiel know they have been fortunate to have been able to tap into those opportunities.

Ezekiel has also benefited from the Learning Program which provides tutoring to help children keep up with and catch up on schooling that has been missed whilst they have been away sick. He was also given a ‘Monkey in my Chair’ which is a program that helps the patient feel connected to their classmates and vice versa. A big monkey goes to the classroom and sits in the place of the missing student. The classmates involve the monkey in activities and send through updates to the patient.

“Ezekiel was excited to get these updates,” Venita said. He also had a tiny monkey that he could have in hospital with him too.

“We have also been involved in dinner programs whilst staying at the house – these are always great and it brings everyone together to enjoy some company,” Venita said. “Different organisations volunteer their evenings and bring in food to cater for the families – usually about once a week. There have also been Christmas Parties and one time Ezekiel, managed to pull off a surprise birthday cake and balloons with the help of staff for my birthday. All these little things become so special.”

And that is the tip of the iceberg. If you’re staying there during holidays they often have programs running including day trips to the zoo, LEGO afternoons and sometimes visits from animals. Regular therapy dog visits are always a hit especially for those missing their pets from home.

Of course, the focus at the moment is fundraising for the team named The Plunging Plumbers, which have set a minimum target of $4000. To help them reach, and hopefully surpass, that target you can make a tax deductible donation by visiting the team page The Plunging Plumbers in Adelaide City Plunge 2022 - RMHC SA (grassrootz. com) . Once on this page you can donate straight to the team or you can scroll down and donate to a particular team member.

There is also a raffle with the Grand Prize being a Thermomix TM6 plus a Glider Board and $150 mixshop voucher (valued at over $25000). 2nd Prize – Russell and Hobbs 5.7L Brooklyn Air Fryer, 3rd Prize – Sunbeam Pie Magic Traditional 4 Up Maker and 4th Prize – Kambrook Pancake Perfection Maker. Tickets are $20 each.

You can also get involved in the team’s promotional week from July 25-29 between 9.30-11.30am where tickets can be purchased directly from team members at the Brew Café Bar, 6/3 Compton Street (cash sales preferred) or alternatively if anyone would like to pay

“...I feel incredibly blessed that we have experienced the excellent work carried out by the Ronald McDonald House Charities and I want this for other families that need it too...”

electronically they can contact Venita by email venitacoutts71@ gmail.com for bank details.

The team is also hosting a BBQ at Bunnings Mount Gambier on August 6 and has donation tins at Kaboom Bowling, UFS Chemist and Salt Wellness Centre.

TAKING THE PLUNGE FOR CHARITY:

(Above) venita Coutts after the 2021 Adeaide City Plunge with inspirational volunteer Nanna Colleen.

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