Community rallies for Emma’s new wheels

AN incredible collaboration of support between community members and groups has made the lives of an Ocean Grove family substantially easier.

When mother to seven-year-old Emma, Sarah Fuller, saw her new $50,000 Kia Carnival arrive in the driveway, Ms Fuller was speechless saying she started to think about how different life will be going forwards.

“I’m just completely overwhelmed and grateful for everyone’s help and rallying for us,” Ms Fuller said.

“I can never thank everyone enough; it’s just amazing, I can’t believe it has actually happened.”

Stemming from a GoFundMe page created in February 2021 by friend Lauri Dawson, $50,000 was raised by local and national Lions Club organisations, the APCO Foundation and local residents to assist Ms Fuller’s youngest girl Emma who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, with daily transportation.

Money raised went towards the new eight-seat mini-van that will allow Ms Fuller to transport Emma more easily to school, therapy sessions and other daily activities.

“An amazing amount of stress is going to be taken off my shoulders and my back,” Ms Fuller said.

“I usually have to lift her in and out of the car so once it’s all modified, things will become a lot simpler.

“When the NDIS upgrades are complete, she’ll be able to sit in her wheelchair next to her sister Kasey and we’ll be able to go everywhere now.”

 

 

 

Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Lions Club donated $8,000, The Australian Lion Foundation matched that number with $8,000, APCO Foundation contributed $5,000 and 180 different local donors added another $10,500 through the GoFundMe page.

Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Lions Club president Grant Hull presented Ms Fuller with the new car and said it was the perfect example of why the local club does what it does in the community.

“If we can’t help somebody out, then what are we doing at the Lions Club, it’s as simple as that,” Mr Hull said.

“When we heard about this cause, we didn’t hesitate, it was a pleasure.

“One of members originally brought this to the club so we donated an amount of money, but we were still short.

“So, we sent a request to the Australian Lion Foundation, and they sent $8,000 back which clinched the deal.”