Rocking horse made by prisoners will help raise funds for muscular dystrophy research

1/9/99
Remand centre prisoners will help raise funds for medical research into muscular dystrophy and patient family support services.
Attorney General Peter Foss today announced the presentation of a rocking horse made by C W Campbell Remand Centre prisoners to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The rocking horse will be auctioned in one of the association's major fundraising events at the end of the year.
"Remand prisoners at Canning Vale have been kept busy during past months building jarrah horses to donate to charity organisations," Mr Foss said.
"On learning of the program, the MDA contacted my office to ask for the donation of a rocking horse to auction in their Christmas fundraising event.
"The monies raised will go to medical research and assist in the provision of patient family support.
"The initiative is being supported by Bunnings, which has donated the building materials and is a perfect example of prisons and industry working together to the benefit of the wider community."
The Minister said limited programs could be offered at the remand centre due to the fact prisoners were often not there for long periods of time.
"This program is something worthwhile and relatively easy which prisoners can participate in without requiring extensive training," he said.
"The horses are extremely well-made and durable.
"Prisoners complete the whole process, cutting out designs, assembling the horses, attaching the manes and plastic eyes."
Mr Foss said the prisoners were enthusiastic about the project, which gave them a sense of achievement.
"To give prisoners a greater ownership of the project, they were asked to nominate charities they wanted the horses to go to," he said.
"To date, Boogurlarri Community House, Rocky Bay, Nulsen Haven, Parkerville Children's Home and Mercy Community Services have been the recipients of a rocking horse."
Media contact: Chris Morris 9321 2222