10/07/2026
💙 When we started Pay It Forward, this is exactly what we hoped it would become.
Some moments remind you that a community is so much more than just the place you live.
Recently, one of our 2026 Pay It Forward recipients, the McLean family, shared this message with our local community. With Cushla's permission, we'd love to share part of it here because her words capture the heart of what this campaign is all about.
"The past 12 weeks since Leo's diagnosis have been the hardest of my life. One phone call shattered life as we knew it and began the hardest journey a child (and parent) should never have to take."
"Throughout these last month's our family has been embraced by the community, and for that I will be forever grateful."
"We have felt the community's strong support through meals, vouchers, fundraising and events, markets, raffles, community group donations, conversations, hugs, and even waves from cars while on our wheelchair walks."
"Last week we also had our names drawn for The Other Husband Handyman Services Pay It Forward Campaign. This was a very unexpected surprise."
"A huge thank you to Wade for all of your hard work organising this incredible campaign, and to the kind person who nominated our family."
"It is such a privilege to live in such a kind, caring and generous community and it is definitely not taken for granted."
Reading Cushla's words is incredibly humbling.
Earlier this week I spent some time with Cushla and Leo, and this is something that will stay with me for a very long time.
Hearing their story firsthand and seeing the strength, courage and love within their family was incredibly humbling. It's impossible to truly understand what they have had to endure since Leo's diagnosis, or how one unexpected phone call changed their lives forever.
It reminded me that behind every nomination is a real family facing challenges that most of us can only imagine. While Pay It Forward can't change what they're going through, I hope it can help lighten the load, even if only a little, and remind them that an entire community is standing beside them.
Pay It Forward has always been about bringing our community together to help local families through difficult times. Every sponsor, every nomination and every act of generosity has helped show what's possible when people choose to care.
This campaign only exists because so many incredible local businesses and individuals chose to stand beside us and say, "We want to help too."
To every sponsor, every business, every person who nominated a family, and every customer who supports the businesses that make this campaign possible... thank you.
And to Cushla, Leo and the entire McLean family, thank you for allowing us to be a very small part of your journey. We continue to think of you and wish Leo strength as he continues his treatment.
Sometimes the greatest gift isn't the vouchers or the services.
It's knowing your community is standing beside you.
💙 Pay It Forward – Generosity in Action.
One community. Countless acts of kindness.
