The local branch donated a car to be used by nurse Marilia Pereira to assist Parkinson’s sufferers.

The pilot project kicked off last week and is the first of its kind to be funded by the Commonwealth Government in conjunction with Parkinson's Australia and Parkinson's NSW, to provide a specialist nursing service to sufferers of Parkinson's disease in rural and remote areas.

Marilia, a Neurological Specialist Nurse, will provide a medical advisory service between the sufferer and carer, their GP and specialist neurologist.

When the project was started, the budget did not allow for a vehicle to be purchased.

Parkinson’s Australia CEO Norman Marshall has helped start the project and was on hand when the Bendigo Bank donation was made.

He said the vehicle would be a huge boost to what Marilia can now offer her clients.

“This will make a huge difference,” she said.

“In an area like this you do need a vehicle to be able to get out there and see clients.

“We believe that at least 200 specialist nurses are needed across Australia and the success of this pilot project will be essential to securing further positions in other communities.”

Currently, sufferers must wait some time for a consultation with their specialist and/or travel considerable distances to receive medical advice regarding their medication regime, which is extremely important for their overall well-being.

This Specialist Nursing Service was to be provided to the sufferer either as a home visit or at Nowra or Ulladulla Area Health Clinic but will now be available to suitable sufferers in their own homes.

Local Community Bank chairman Tony Hardman said the branch was happy to be bale to offer this support to the project.

He said the bank had purchased the car with the assistance of local Toyota dealer Dutch Holland.

The running costs have been underwritten by the bank and surrounding South Coast branches and the Bendigo Bank.