PHOTO: See Andrew – had to be manually dropped in as was a PDF.
Caption: Brave Kobi . . . a fund-raiser in his honour will be held later this month.
PORT Macquarie residents have been invited to a fun fund-raiser to raise funds for ‘Kids Like Kobi’.
The fund-raiser is in honour of young local boy Kobi Murdoch, 7, who has survived a long battle with cancer.
The event will be held on 26 October, Kobi’s birthday, and five years to the day after he underwent bone marrow surgery to try and beat a rare but very aggressive tumour. Proceeds will go to the Westmead Children’s Hospital’s oncology ward, where Kobi spent so much time during his battle.
The day will kick off at 2pm at the Settlers Inn in Port Macquarie. Entertainment will include a popular band called The Black Birds, Harley rides by the Hastings American Motorcycle Club, a jumping castle, raffles and auctions, plaster painting, prizes galore and much, much more.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children, with a family pass (two adults and two children) $40. The price includes a drink on entry – wine for adults and juice for the kids – hot nibble food, tea and coffee, lucky door ticket plus entry into the major raffle.
They are available from the Settlers Inn or from Kobi’s mum, Amanda Deeks, on 0432 403 416 or stepfather Alan, phone 0411 207 304.
Anyone who would like to donate something as a raffle prize is also asked to call Amanda.
Obviously proud of her son’s positive attitude during his long and painful battle, Amanda describes Kobi as “the most courageous and brave little man I have ever known.”
“Kobi endured six long months of chemotherapy followed by surgery, bone marrow transplant, radiation, blood transfusions, seizures and much, much more,” she said.
“The extraordinary doctors and nurses have fought the battle the whole way to save his life.
“In October we celebrate his five-year milestone and couldn’t be happier. However, as we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, other families’ nightmares have just begun as they start the long journey of battling such a terrible disease as cancer.
“Technology and research have vastly improved the cure rate and treatment for childhood cancers but there is still a long way to go.
“At Westmead Children’s Hospital I have seen first-hand the devotion and quality for excellence displayed by the doctors, nurses and staff, and although they provide such high-quality care the ward is very limited because of a severe lack of funding.
“This charity event is to raise funds for their oncology unit, to help further their journey of excellence and to help enhance the ward to make a difference to these beautiful children’s lives.”
Amanda urges anyone who can to come along and share in the fun at the ‘Kids Like Kobi Fund-raiser’.
“It is going to be a real blast and about as far removed from Kobi’s birthday five years ago when he was undergoing surgery than you can get,” she said.
