First WA children’s hospice Sandcastles gifted major donation to keep the project moving

Western Australia’s first children’s hospice has received a major donation for sensory and soft play rooms that will offer respite and comfort to some of the state’s sickest children.

Sandcastles (Boodja Mia) hospice, built near Swanbourne Beach with support from the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, will provide WA’s first and only dedicated space for children receiving end-of-life care.

Perth-based custom home designer Trendsetter Homes last week presented a check for almost $150,000 to fund the full fit-out of the care home’s sensory and soft play rooms.

The trendsetter often specializes in luxury private homes. General manager Michael Agostino said he and his wife Brooke were “very proud” to make such a significant charitable gesture.

“This is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time but it never happened between jobs or through contracts. But it all happened at the right time,” he said.

“Giving back as a whole has always been a very close topic for me and my wife. We’ve debated quite a bit about the right way, but it’s simple; these are the kids.”

The Agostinos are parents of two teenage boys and said the idea of ​​donating to a project like the hospice resonated deeply.

Nearly 2000 children in WA have life-limiting conditions, and many families find it difficult to access specialist respite and end-of-life care.

Sandcastles aims to fill this gap by providing state-of-the-art clinical care in a home-like environment that doesn’t feel like a hospital. Once completed, the center will feature a seven-bed self-contained facility with family rooms, a main kitchen, dining and living area.

There will also be a physical therapy area including a hydrotherapy pool, clinical areas and outdoor play areas.

Mr Agostino said he felt particularly drawn to sensory and soft play rooms after learning how beneficial they could be for young patients.

“When my wife explained the seriousness of the sensory room, gentle touch, and sound therapy and the impact it had on children in terms of relaxation, I said, ‘this is it,’” he said.

“You dream about it, but you don’t understand the seriousness of it. As a parent, anything that can give them comfort is like, ‘yes please, can we give my child some comfort?'”

Comfortable and tranquil playrooms will feature soft play structures, interactive sensory lighting, low-stimulation zones for relaxation, therapeutic seating equipment and flexible spaces for family interaction.

Mr Agostino said it felt “surreal” to be part of the dedicated facility after getting a private tour of WA’s first facility with PCHF staff.

“You know what you’re donating to and why, but you don’t understand until you see it. This was a really foundational moment for me and my wife,” he said.

“It’s so much bigger than the word ‘hospice’ when you see how much effort they put into making it not feel like a hospital.

“It’s great to be part of something groundbreaking like this.”

The Agostinos plan to continue donating to causes that are meaningful to them and are considering ideas of developing an annual giving program.

“We’ve always had a vision of granting some amount per contract per financial year. We haven’t finalized anything yet, but at this stage it’s an ongoing thing that we’ll do every year,” he said.

“I think it’s incredibly important to give back and reinforce that within the business and within our own beliefs.”

PCHF has confirmed that Sandcastles construction will be completed by the end of the year.

The project, which has faced some criticism due to its coastal location, is being funded through PCHF in partnership with the WA Government’s Child and Adolescent Health Service. Earlier this year the trust secured a $21 million government funding boost to help provide the hospice with costs associated with palliative care staff.

PCHF is still seeking donations to help finance construction and equipment. Inquiries can be made at: sandcastles.org.au.