Following Ambulance Wish Western Australia’s endorsement by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR), donors can now receive tax relief for donations over $2. Only certain organisations are entitled to receive income tax deductible gifts and tax deductible contributions – these are called DGRs. If a donation is tax deductible, donors – both individuals and companies – can deduct the amount of their donation from their taxable income when they lodge their tax return. The endorsement also allows Ambulance Wish Western Australia to be included in workplace giving programmes.
A tax deduction can only be claimed for gifts or donations made to organisations that have a deductible gift recipient (DGR) status. Ambulance Wish Western Australia holds DGR status and also has the registered charity tick from the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). This means that Ambulance Wish Western Australia complies with the transparency and accountability standards of the ACNC Charity Register. All donations made to Ambulance Wish Western Australia are tax deductible.
A tax deductible donation is a gift made that cannot provide you with a personal or material benefit, i.e. purchasing a ticket to attend a fundraising dinner, fundraising chocolates, raffle tickets, etc. To claim a tax deduction for a gift (donation), it must also meet the below conditions:
- The gift must truly be a gift. A gift is voluntary transfer of money or property where you receive no material benefit or advantage;
- The gift must be money or property, which includes financial assets such as shares; and
- The gift must comply with any relevant gift conditions.
If you are a business and you support a DGR through advertising or sponsorship this is generally not a gift – however, you may be able to claim a tax deduction as a business expense. For full information on charity donation tax deductions, please visit the ATO website – Gifts and Donations or speak with your financial adviser or accountant.
The final stages of a terminal illness can be a highly challenging, emotional time and the focus of care usually changes to making them as comfortable as possible in order to make the most of the time they have left. Developing goals when a person knows they are dying, such as planning a final wish, can give them hope and affirm the value that their life still has, even when it is limited in time and potential. This hope and value is even harder to maintain once they become immobile due to the developing depression associated with becoming bed-bound, especially as older people can lose five per cent of their muscle mass each day they lay in bed.
Ambulance Wish Western Australia’s mission is to give terminally ill patients the resources, specialist transport and medical care they need to fulfil their final wishes. Wishes can be simple; a last visit home or to a place of personal significance. It’s usually the little things that mean the most to a person nearing the end of their life, but these can seem impossible. This service will be offered to all patients free of charge, regardless of age, race, religion or nationality, and with a warm and heartfelt embrace.
The fundraising priority for Ambulance Wish Western Australia is its first ‘Wish Ambulance’; as soon as the vehicle is commissioned then wishes can start being fulfilled. A Wish Ambulance is a vehicle specially designed or converted to transport immobile, terminally ill patients to fulfil their wishes. Wish Ambulance design varies around the world but there are several similarities: the ability to provide excellent patient care; tinted windows to allow privacy while allowing patients to view their journey; and a comfortable ride, often with electronic stretchers with specialised mattresses. Medical equipment is often hidden from sight but easily accessible if required.
Ambulance Wish Western Australia is completely dependent on personal donations, corporate support and partnerships along with community fundraising to ensure its outcomes are achieved. As the charity is managed entirely by volunteers, there are no salaries required – all donations will be spent entirely on fulfilling final wishes. Once the first Wish Ambulance is operational, additional funding from organisations, partnerships and grant institutions will allow Ambulance Wish Western Australia to grow, including the possibility of fulfilling final wishes outside the Perth Metropolitan area.
Donations can be made on Ambulance Wish Western Australia’s website or directly to the organisation – banking details and a donation form can also be found on the website.
