Help a champion volunteer get his mobility back!
Fundraising campaign by
Jessica Hofto
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AU$2,365.00raised of AU$2,800.00 goal goal
No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities
For over 25 years Michael has selflessly dedicated his life to community volunteering and telling his traumatic story to educate others in the hope of saving lives.
Michael was 18 when he was critically injured as a passenger in a car accident which fractured 90% of his skull and put him into a coma. His parents were told he would not survive but fortunately Michael overcame the odds. Sadly, Michael was left with an acquired brain injury (ABI), epilepsy, no feeling in the right side of his face and all the muscles severed to his right eye.
Michael's long journey to recovery included nearly two years in hospital where he underwent 3 operations on his right eye and 9 operations to fix the spinal fluid leak from his nose. He spent six months in a wheelchair while he relearnt to walk and had to learn to read and write again. Michael also suffered from meningitis due to surgical complications which put him in intensive care for a week and left him with a broken surgical needle in his back for the rest of his life.
Upon leaving the hospital, Michael was keen to finish his third year as an apprentice mechanic but was deemed too much of a risk to work due to his injuries. Since then, Michael has eased the pain and suffering of others with ABIs as a personal care attendant and volunteered for the Casey Council, Road Safe, the Teenagers Road Accident Group and Road Trauma Support Services Victoria. Michael travelled the State and retold his story again and again to convey his road safety message in the hopes of getting others to be more careful on our roads so that no other families have to go through the pain and suffering he has endured.
Unfortunately in 2014 Michael had to give up his mission to educate others as his old car gave up the ghost and he could no longer reach his volunteering destinations. Michael is now very isolated and alone, rarely receiving visitors and with only his big dog 'Moose' for company. He is currently suffering from depression and feels as though his life has no purpose.
Our mission is to raise enough money to buy Michael a registered, roadworthy and reliable car just in time for Christmas!! We would like to show Michael that his selfless work to make this world a better place is truly appreciated and to give him a chance at a happier and more fulfilling life which he so truly deserves.
Please help give this kind and generous man get his mobility back! Any donation, big or small, will be greatly appreciated and will make a world of difference to Michael's life.
Thank you.
Organizer
- Jessica Hofto
- Campaign Owner
Donors
- Tara Stark
- Donated on Dec 07, 2015
- Puspa O'Donnell
- Donated on Dec 06, 2015
Another generous sponsor!
Update posted by Jessica Hofto at 10:05 amA big thank you to the Teenagers Road Accident Group (TRAG) who have generously supported Michael by donating $500!TRAG are a not-for-profit Mornington Peninsula-based organisation who specialise in road safety presentations targeting students in Years 10,11 & 12. The program is very thought provoking and is designed to change young. . . . .
Progress!
Update posted by Jessica Hofto at 03:34 amMichael's campaign has generously been sponsored by MRC Performance, Turbosmart and Venom Exhaust Works! Each of these three Australian businesses has donated an auto part to be auctioned on eBay with 100% of the proceeds going to Michael - the total worth equalling $660! We are currently seeking more media
Thank you
Update posted by Jessica Hofto at 02:16 amA big thank you to all the generous soles who have kindly donated so far! Due to media attention we were unable to keep this project as a surprise for Michael and had to let him in on the secret early! A feature article on Michael will be run in
Donors & Comments
- Amanda Pollard
- Donated on Dec 11, 2015
Sending you much love and well wishes. You will be independent again soon, with a car to get you around. 😃 Merry Christmas to you. X
- Tara Stark
- Donated on Dec 07, 2015
- Puspa O'Donnell
- Donated on Dec 06, 2015
- Wendy & Robin Bowerman
- Donated on Dec 01, 2015
There is nothing more important than sharing your story of the experience of road trauma. Well done, Michael!
- Gail Carland
- Donated on Nov 28, 2015
More than happy to contribute, best of luck Michael.
- Jane Hofto
- Donated on Nov 11, 2015
- Annette Mercuri
- Donated on Nov 11, 2015
I'm sure Michael's story has been pivotal in saving many lives over the years. He deserves a break and I hope he can continue to do his great work with his new car. He is an inspirational man.
- catherine pearce
- Donated on Nov 11, 2015
Best wishes - hope you raise the money for such a worthy cause.
- Belinda Clark
- Donated on Nov 11, 2015
- Diana FitzGerald
- Donated on Nov 08, 2015
Good luck Michael. I hope that the car gets you out and about doing the things you enjoy.
Sending you much love and well wishes. You will be independent again soon, with a car to get you around. 😃 Merry Christmas to you. X