The Tommy Johnston fundraiser at the Tenterfield Golf Club on Sunday, January 20 has raised a staggering amount for the Johnston family from the 175 lots auctioned during the afternoon.
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Organiser Laynee Taylor is still doing the tallying but the figure exceeds $40,000, and she said every cent is being deposited into a trust account for Tommy.
She’s being working on the fundraiser since the end of November, and said she’s over the moon with the degree of support she’s received.
“Tenterfield’s a great place.
“Tommy’s a delightful child and he’s been dealt a rough blow.”
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Tommy, son of Paul and Pip Johnston, was diagnosed with the genetic condition Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) soon after birth. Niemann-Pick is also known as ‘childhood alzheimer's’ as the build-up of enzymes in the body creates similar symptoms.
It’s considered a terminal illness, with afflicted children generally not surviving far into their teenage years after declining in health over a decade. The Johnston family are desperately seeking treatment options to delay the progress of the disease.
Auctioneers Ben Johnston (no relation) and Steve Alford donated their time to wrangle bids for the huge range of auction items, contributed by businesses, families, individuals and organisations as far afield as the Broncos and Dubbo Zoo. Many of the lots seemed to be donated by the Taylor family.
Mrs Taylor said she ran into Ben in the street before she’d even organised the first donation, and he said to just name the time and place and he’d be there. (He’s also now well aware of the location of her Rouse Street business Herbie and Bella after a faux pas during auctioneering when he announced he hadn’t heard of it. He went on to win the bid on the gift voucher, so we hope he has some young relatives for whom to buy baby and children’s wear.)
Such a big event is a huge undertaking and Mrs Taylor gave credit to those who helped her, particularly Patsy Sharman who was a driving force. Bec Morelli did face painting on the day, donating her time so that all monies went to Tommy.
Lisa Viola and Anna Hudson did all the bookwork on the bidding and Mrs Taylor said everyone paid up on the day. There was many people behind the scenes donating to and assembling the huge grazing platters that were made available.
Premier Meats donated the meat for the barbecue, Tenterfield Bakery the bread and Rotary Club the labour, so more than $500 from lunch also went into the pot.
Mrs Taylor extended her thanks to all those who contributed to the huge sum raised on the day, through donations and bidding and often both. Pip Johnston was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for her family.