Bringing joy to Children with Disabilities

Families of children with disabilities face numerous challenges and expenses to support their child’s everyday needs, but it’s the priceless smiles that Morris Children’s Fund is delivering via its music therapy program that’s leaving the biggest imprint on parents and children alike.

Since launching in 2005, small Sydney-based charity, Morris Children’s Fund, led by namesake Garry Morris OAM, has provided free wellbeing classes to children with severe and multiple disabilities through local schools and hospitals. The service addresses the gap in many specialist schools where music programs have been discontinued in favour of other forms of assistance and also helps to ease the financial burden of families.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Fund has supported more than 76 children and families, as well as 11 special needs and two hospital schools, amounting to more than $2.5 million in funding. An amazing feat, especially given the Fund was established and run for many years while its founder, Morris, worked full-time in the aviation industry.

The St George School, located in Kogarah, was the first to partner with Morris Children’s Fund in 2008. 58 out of its 60 students are wheelchair bound, including eight-year-old Luke, who has attended the school since kindergarten. Luke has white matter disease which causes epilepsy, seizures and ataxia. After participating in music therapy classes, it quickly became one of the favourite parts of his week, often completely shifting his mood.

“That’s because music is universal,” says Garry Morris. “Many kids experience a calming effect when music is playing, they feel content and happy with instruments – it transcends language barriers.”

For Amanda, Luke’s mum, Morris Children’s Fund is vital. “Without it, we wouldn’t have the capacity to participate in rewarding extracurricular activities like this,” she says.

More than 40 percent of families assisted by Morris Children’s Fund are single-parent households. With a professional music therapist costing over $200 an hour, wellbeing activities are often inaccessible for many children without the support of small, local charities that provide these programs.

But, as Garry adds: “When a child is non-verbal and can’t say, ‘I love you’, how much value would you place on a smile?”

The Fund now runs music therapy classes in 11 schools across Sydney, including Campsie, Mount Druitt, The Hills District and Sutherland. It has also expanded its services to include art therapy and social programs, providing children with mental health conditions opportunities to process trauma and assist others in developing essential social skills, such as sharing.

The challenge for Morris Children’s Fund is it intensely supports a small number of children over an extended period, which often leads to being overlooked by external funders, who are critical to the charity’s survival. However, with the support of a five-year partnership with the St.George Foundation, the future looks bright.

St.George Foundation provides grants to small, local charities to help children who are marginalised or facing disadvantage access programs focused on improving education outcomes and wellbeing. In 2024, the Foundation invested $1.9 million in charities like Morris Children’s Fund, helping thousands of young people across Australia.

“The latest funding from St.George Foundation will be used to expand music therapy classes in the Sydney metropolitan area. Each school costs us approximately $24,000 a year to run, so this will enable us to offer programs at a new school or ensure sustained funding at an existing one,” said Garry.

The Community Ambassador Program offered as part of the wraparound support provided by the five philanthropic foundations established by Westpac Group has also been beneficial. The program pairs community organisations with Westpac employees to utilise networks, contacts and skills to tap into ways Westpac can help the Foundation’s grant partners achieve the best possible outcomes for the communities they serve.

“Our previous Community Ambassador coordinated 25 refurbished iPads from Westpac to be delivered to five schools we partner with,” adds Garry.

While the NDIS and other national schemes provide substantial support to children and families with disabilities, so often, it’s people like Garry Morris who play a crucial role in enhancing children’s wellbeing and promoting inclusive futures for all Australians.

 

 

Find out more about the vital work of Morris Children’s Fund and how you can show your support. While you’re at it, learn more about St.George Foundation and its vision to ensure every child has an opportunity to thrive. #DoingGoodIsInOurDNA