For the love of Legacy

From serving in the Royal Australian Air Force to repairing watches to raise funds for Legacy, it’s fair to say that Jake Jacobsen of Living Choice Kawana Island has always had a strong desire to help others.

Many Living Choice residents will recall that Jake completed a 2,400km ride on a scooter across the Nullarbor Plain in 2014, to raise funds for mental health advocacy organisation, beyondblue. Jake and Living Choice Broadwater Court resident, Wendy Travers joined 17 other participants, ranging in age from 65 to 75, to complete the gruelling journey, raising a total of $70,000.

About five years ago, Jake taught himself to repair watches as a hobby and since then, has been repairing watches for residents at Living Choice Kawana Island.

“Many of those residents have given me watches they have accumulated, mainly from cruises, and no longer want. I had collected about 90 serviceable watches and was wondering what to do with them,” said Jake.

After some phone calls, Jake said the Sunshine Coast branch of Legacy said they would love to have them to pass on to needy families of veterans who have died, or become disabled, as a result of active service.

Jake presented the watches to Lee Shimbel, Chairman of Sunshine Coast Legacy, at the village’s weekly Happy Hour on 24th September, but there was an extra surprise in store for Lee. “As a result of some watch “horse trading”, I was also able to hand over a cash donation of $880 and then residents at Happy Hour chipped in another $130,” said Jake.

While Jake is now back repairing watches, he is also preparing to assist Legacy to plan “Scootaville”, an 14-day fundraising scooter ride from Ipswich to Townsville, scheduled for April next year. While not planning to take part this time, Jake’s organisational skills will certainly be put to good use.

PHOTOS BY WAYNE MALE