Village people aid Biala

GRACE Moloney, from Lennox Head, took on the role of Mrs Santa Claus last Thursday.

She handed over a donation to Biala Support Services in Ballina of $2250 which was raised at the Sanctuary Village Christmas light-up in December last year, in which her husband, John, was Santa Claus.

CEO of Biala, Wendylee Playford, welcomed the donation and thanked the Sanctuary Village residents for their efforts in decorating their homes with lights, and taking collections for the support service for people with disabilities.

Mrs Playford also thanked the Lennox Head Lions Club members who manned the barbecue on December 22 and 24 during the light-up, and raised an extra $350 for Biala.

Biala Support Services was forced to introduce fees for parents of the students with disabilities at Biala Special School due to increasing operating costs.

While the community rallied behind Biala with donations after that was announced - and continues to do so - the school still faces an uncertain financial future.

Mrs Playford said the school wasn't sure how the State Government education cuts would affect funding for staff.

"We run on the smell of an oily rag," she said.

Nineteen students are enrolled to attend Biala Special School this year, with four prospective students. Government funding - State and Federal - is dependant on the number of enrolments.