Hi

My Name is Kerri,

I'm setting up this GoFundMe to help keep "Irene’s Wildlife" alive.

In doing so, honouring the Legacy of an extraordinary Woman and Wildlife Carer and supporting the other Carers who still need so much help every day to Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release our Beautiful Native Wildlife.

The cost is enormous and the Possums, Birdlife, Kangaroos and Wallabies Joey's and more, sadly just keep coming.

Some Carers go through up to 20kg of Milk Formula a Month, such as Mel, the Carer that you all showed such incredible generosity to by purchasing large amounts of Formula and Lorikeet and Honeyeater mix, and Mealworms.

Plus those who donated into the Account set up for monetary donations.

As many of you already know, Irene Darlington very sadly passed from Metastatic Breast Cancer last Year.

It was a devastating loss for so many of us.

Not only did she leave a huge hole in our Hearts, but the Community and surrounds have lost an extraordinary Wildlife Carer who, in all her years as a Carer, never once said "I'm sorry but I can't"

No matter what pain she was in.

She was a "Once in a Lifetime" Carer and a very Dear Friend.

We all felt so lost and Heartbroken.

But two of Irene's Dearest Friends,

Kristie-Mei Aylward and Leana Nieuwoudt have taken on the enormous task of fullfilling Irene's final Wish:

To see "Irene's Wildlife" become a Registered Not-For-Profit.

Something that was seemingly impossible for Irene to attain.

It was actually their Lifelong Dream together.

And more than anything, Kristie-Mei wants to make this happen and do Irene proud.

Since Irene's passing,

Kristie-Mei and Leana have organised a Funeral, a Memorial for the Community and a Tree Planting Ceremony to honour this remarkable Woman.

They are as close to Family as you can get and

were both steadfast by her side in her final days.

Painting her Fingernails, brushing her hair and holding her hand as she slipped away.

So selflessly making every effort to comfort her

Whilst losing their closet Friend.

Monies raised will go towards helping Wildlife Carers, many of which Irene trained, who are struggling just as Irene did, rescuing and Caring for literally Hundreds of Animals each Year.

Funds will help pay for the purchase of Essential Formulas and other Wildlife mixes and food, Fruits and Vegetables.

Plus the distribution of these Supplies to Carers and Animals in need.

Plus the cost involved in setting up a Registered Not-For-Profit.

Irene’s home was a warehouse filled to the brim with supplies for both Humans and Animals in need.

Sorting through decades of Wildlife supplies and personal belongings has been emotionally and financially exhausting for Kristie-Mei and Leana.

Storage units have been Rented, Trucks Hired, and Insurance and Rates paid, all while they are still grieving.

Kristie-Mei continues to travel to Brisbane to help, despite recently giving Birth, having a Toddler, and experiencing a difficult recovery.

These women are exhausted and Heartbroken, yet they refuse to give up on honouring Irene’s wishes and keeping her Legacy alive.

What these Women have accomplished so far by sorting and distributing goods stored on Irene’s property:

· Animal supplies to Wildlife Carers and RSPCA Wacol

· Cages and aviaries to Carers in need

· Clothes to the Homeless

· Sanitary products to Domestic Violence Victims

· Formal dresses to Indigenous students

· Jewellery to be sold to raise money for Cancer Victims

· Costume Jewellery to be sold to raise money for the Care of Possums.

What Money raised will go towards:

. Carers in desperate need of......

· Kangaroo and Wallabies and other Marsupials Milk

. Formula for little Possum Joey's and other

Mammals

· Lorikeet and Honeyeater Feed

. Mealworms for Kookaburras, Magpies,

Butcher Birds, Fairy Wrens, even Sugar

Gliders and more.

. Insectivore for Carnivorous Birds as above

. Transportation of the remaining Aviaries

· Transportation/postage of Animal Rescue supplies

· Registration of Irene’s Wildlife

· Storage Hire

Please help me to help them

Any amount helps no matter how large or small and will mean the World to not only Them but all the Wonderful Carers needing help.

Thank you so much In advance

For those of you that Didn’t know Irene?

Irene was our Wildlife Angel.

She became a household name across Brisbane and surrounding communities for the last 40 years

If there was an injured or sick Animal, we could call Irene and she would take on yet another Possum, Bird, Sugar Glider, or any other Wildlife in need.

Even from a Hospital Bed setup in her Home, right to the end, Irene was still nursing and feeding baby Possums, with a small bar fridge beside her bed for their formula.

Irene transformed her home and yard into a Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, Rescuing, Raising, and Rehabilitating Hundreds of Animals each year.

She also rescued Dogs, fostered Cats, saved Pet Birds, and freely shared supplies with Carers in need.

Her home became a donation point for Wildlife Carers, the Homeless and their Pets.

Despite years of trying, Irene was never able to register as a Not-For-Profit.

She often went without herself because saving Lives mattered more to her than anything else.

Including a hot Dinner or regular meals.

I hope we can all do Irene proud

Kindest regards, Kerri