Gazette

Chipping in to help Casey

By Melissa Grant

13th June 2007 02:00:24 AM

Above right: Ian Cherry with Norma Jackson.

COMMUNITY spirit triumphed over tragedy as friends rallied to raise $70,000 for young Pakenham man Casey Cherry and his family on Saturday.

A gala fundraiser at the Cardinia Cultural Centre saw overwhelming support to help the Cherry family achieve their aim of sending Casey overseas for treatment.

Casey, 20, has been confined to a wheelchair after a freak motorcycle accident at a friend’s remote outback station 200 kilometres north of Broken Hill earlier this year.

Event organiser Wendy Goldsack said it was “fantastic” to see the community spirit on Saturday night.

“The energy in the room was fantastic,” she said.

“When a tragic thing like this happens, the community spirit really steps up.”

Casey attended the auction, spending his first night at home since the accident. Mrs Goldsack said it was great that Casey was able to enjoy the big event.

“It was the best night, it was so good for the family,” she said.

“Casey was smiling all through the night. Hopefully Casey can draw inspiration after seeing what’s gone on behind the scenes.”

Tyson Goldsack, Scott Pendlebury and Danny Stanley from Collingwood Football Club and Pakenham’s own Neighbours star Pippa Black were the big attractions for the gala evening, which drew almost 450 people.

The night included a two-course meal and performances by musical group Classical Gass.

However, the auction was the main drawcard, well conducted by Peter Deering.

Sporting memorabilia, vouchers, barbecues, wood heaters, hire of a BMW convertible and a marquee for 10 people at the Pakenham races were among the items on offer.

A Michael Tuck personal Team of the Century framed jumper and plaque fetched almost $3000 while a more unusual item – Pakenham’s own Collingwood recruit Tyson Goldsack – was auctioned off for $500.

Wendy Goldsack said her son became one of the hottest items when Casey and Scott Pendlebury decided to auction him off.

“Tyson couldn’t believe it – he thought it was a joke,” she said.

Lisa Bastow will get to have a night out with the Collingwood player after placing the winning bid of $500.

Federal McMillan MP Russell Broadbent, MC for the event, said he was overwhelmed by how much people were willing to help out the Cherrys.

“They were very generous people, generous to the point of amazing,” he said. “It was the biggest event I have been involved with in terms of emotional intensity.”

Mrs Goldsack said she wanted to thank everyone involved in the event, especially the staff at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, Khan’s Catering and Cardinia Council.

She said she also wanted to thank the local community for its generosity, which has the fund raising team on target to raise $100,000 for the family.