KADDY Transport: Wheels to Freedom

Nearly 43years ago, Val Rayward’s dream, who was herself disabled due to contracting polio, became a reality after a meeting was convened at her home to discuss the feasibility of providing transport for disabled persons on the Northern Beaches. No such service existed at that time and disabled people often spoke of the loneliness, isolation and despair they endured.

After much hard work and numerous fundraising activities, our first bus, a Toyota Coaster, was purchased in 1981. Members of that first meeting at Val’s place could never have imagined how much the community would or could embrace her vision to the extent it has.

Over the past 43years, KADDY has provided transport to many different clients. Some were born with disabilities, while there are others like Prue, who at 18 was studying at Sydney University to become a Physiotherapist. One evening she drove to collect her brother from a night out when a car collided with her. She was told she “died” three times, has two silver plates in her head, was unconscious for twelve months and on a respirator and was left with severe disabilities. 

KADDY has made such a difference to so many in the community. For many years, up until 2019, every Monday morning the KADDY buses could be seen plying the streets picking up passengers for Open House at St David’s Uniting Church, Dee Why, a gathering of the disabled and frail and elderly who enjoyed company, music and a meal in a laid back, informal atmosphere.

One of the helpers recalls Stuart, born with cerebral palsy. “He was a real KADDY success story,” she says. “He came to Monday Open House very much in his own world with his arms around his soft toys. Then, one day out of the blue, he came forth with a lovely smile. I was quietly singing ‘You made me love you’ whilst feeding him and he too started to sing in his own way. Everyone stopped to give him a hearty clap. The staff at his nursing home told us he always came back with a smile since that day. As he had no family left, KADDY brought much happiness into his life and typifies the core reason for all that we do.”    

Today, KADDY Transport mainly assists people who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility to get to medical appointments and social activities. We rely entirely on the support of friendly and kind-hearted volunteer drivers and donations from generous people and sponsors. We receive no government funding but have been assisted firstly by Warringah Council and more recently by Northern Beaches Council. Dee Why RSL has also been a loyal and generous sponsor for many years – read more here on Dee Why RSL’s support for KADDY Transport

We now need your help
KADDY has reached a difficult time. We have a lack of drivers. New volunteers are urgently needed. And sadly, two of our very special and most generous sponsors have passed away. Donations are very much needed to fill that void in funding. Can you help?