LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has issued a call to arms to help a terminally ill local mum with a ‘Renovation Rescue’ so she can focus on enjoying time with her family.
Trinity Beach resident Kim Jenkins became known to the wider community in 2011 when an appeal was launched to raise money for treatment for a rare brain tumour.
“We thought Kim had it beat but unfortunately it’s come back, it’s aggressive and can’t be treated,” Mr Entsch said. “She’s got three beautiful young girls and it’s very, very sad.”
Kim has the very strong support of her family, including husband George, daughters Matilda (9), Molly-Jo (7), and Claudia (6), sister Monique, mum Maree and cousin Andy.
However Mr Entsch had a distressing phone call from Kim last week, asking if he could help with a special challenge.
“Kim told me that her three daughters share a room in their two-bedroom home, and that they have wanted to extend the building for some years but due to her illness, have been unable,” he said.
“You see these ‘renovation rescues’ on TV, so I thought, well, here’s our chance in Cairns to show what this community can do.” 
Warren met with the Jenkins family at their Trinity Beach home.
Kim hopes to be able to add a small bedroom for each of her daughters onto the back of the house, so they will have their own space when times get difficult. She would also like to see the garden landscaped, including knocking down a shed and building a cubby house. Lastly, some renovations would be needed to open up the living area, install bi-fold doors in the front room, new non-slip tiles on the veranda and air-conditioning throughout.
“We have the opportunity to make some improvements to this home that will give Kim peace of mind and allow her to focus on dealing with her illness and spending time with her family,” Mr Entsch said. “But we’re fighting the clock – we need to move with urgency.”
The ‘Kim Jenkins Renovation Rescue’ will be coordinated by Kath Kinneally, who successfully fundraised when her daughter Saffron Bryant was diagnosed with a tumour behind her eye.
“Anybody with daughters knows that girls need their own space and having three in one bedroom is not ideal,” Kath said. “I’m 110 per cent confident that the community can pull this together.”
Just like on TV, during the renovation the family will be sent away for a much-needed break.
“I’ll be looking to the tourism industry to provide them with an unforgettable experience,” Mr Entsch said. “It’s important for George and the kids to have this time with Kim.”
Mr Entsch launched the ‘Kim Jenkins Renovation Rescue’ on Friday with media partners Win News, SeaFM and the Cairns Post.
“Our most urgent need is for a project manager, architect and quantity surveyor to come on board so the design and approvals stage can get underway,” he explained.
“Then we’ll need the services of builders, allied tradespeople, building material suppliers and gardeners for a ‘renovation blitz’ at the end of April.”
Mr Entsch is calling on people and businesses who can donate time, skills or materials to contact either his office or Kath Kinneally directly over the next two weeks. Upon his return from the Parliamentary sitting fortnight in Canberra, the group will meet again to set a plan in action.
Can you help? Please contact Kath Kinneally on 0417 632 982 or katykay66@hotmail.com or Warren Entsch’s office on warren.entsch.mp@aph.gov.au or 4051 2220. People who would prefer to make a cash donation can contact the Dr Edward Koch Foundation on 4031 0145 or admin@kochfoundation.org.au
