General News
2 January, 2025
BEST OF 2024: Locals undertake 20 years of charity in Bali
For the 20-year anniversary of their visit, Denise launched the ‘make a wish’ for Helping Hands Across the Sands.
First published July 4, 2024.
In 2004, local residents Graham and Denise Gall won a trip to Bali, Indonesia. They were excited to go and, after witnessing first-hand the poverty that surrounded them, they couldn’t turn a blind eye. They began to look for ways that they could make a difference to the people of Bali.
In 2014, Helping Hands Across the Sands (HHATS) was established to allow a more structured way of helping those in need. Sadly, Graham passed away in 2017; however, Denise has continued their legacy, along with some trusted helpers.
Fast forward to 2024, the charity now has many different projects underway. These include supporting the Suwung rubbish tip food run where meals are given each week; the Samaritania school in the Suwung tip; a rescue home; the Negara orphanage; and one of Denise’s most heartfelt projects, the cancer house.
Gilgandra Hospital Activity Group heard about what Denise was doing and wanted to help. They kindly donated 100kg of rice and noodles to help feed those in Bali. These ladies, along with Edie Wlodarczyk and Beryl McKenzie, also sent over two large suitcases of ‘knitted with love’ blankets. These were donated to the cancer house. “We are so thankful for all their help and donations,” said Denise.
For the 20-year anniversary of their visit, Denise has just launched the ‘make a wish’ for Helping Hands Across the Sands. This is to grant wishes to the patients suffering from cancer to give them something to look forward to. Denise told The Gilgandra Weekly the first recipient of this new program was gifted a mobile phone recently, to make memories with his parents, sister, and two brothers who he hasn’t seen for 12 months. Another patient will get to visit the Bali zoo with some friends. “We look forward to seeing all the wishes that we can grant through this added program,” said Denise.
