THE month Give-Tember appeal was launched this week as Northern District Community Health looks to raise $50,000.
The Kerang-based service wants community support for projects including the fitout of its new facility in the Pyramid Hill Community Centre officially opened earlier this year.
Loddon Shire has signed off on an agreement with NDCH to use the new centre.
The NDCH appeal  comes as a new Infrastructure Victoria report revealed that Victorian community health organisations receive just 0.3 per cent of state health infrastructure funding each year.
According to NDCH, that leaves regional and rural organisations without the funding needed to maintain and expand vital facilities. Chief executive officer, Penny Wilkinson, said this funding was critical in ensuring community health organisations, particularly those in regional and rural areas, can continue to deliver services into the local communities.
“Everyone, no matter where they live or what their background is, deserves a fair chance at good health,” she said.
That’s why regional and remote community health organisations like Northern District Community Health are so vital,
“As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on a mix of government funding, fundraising, and the generous support of people in our local community. While government funding helps, it’s unfortunately not enough to meet the growing demand for our services.” 
NDCH said money raised this month would go directly towards infrastructure projects and equipment designed to help expand access to care and “ensure essential healthcare remains within the community’s reach”.
“Some critical infrastructure projects just aren’t covered by Government,” said Ms Wilkinson. “This appeal is an opportunity for the community to support big and small infrastructure projects that are critical to our ability to service the local community. 
Whether it’s funding to support the fit out of our new facility at Pyramid Hill and improvement of our Quambatook site, or new blood pressure monitors, podiatry chairs and height adjustable beds at all our locations across the Loddon, Gannawarra and Swan Hill regions, it all makes a difference to the quality care we provide.”