By NATALIE GALLENTI
THE Caroline Springs community has banded together to raise almost $100,000 for a local family that has been left devastated once again.
A fundraising event held earlier this month at Westwaters Hotel and Entertainment Complex for courageous Tyler Fishlock managed to double the $50,000 target originally set out.
Head of AFL media operations Michael Solomon told Star the night was “massively successful” with guest appearances from North Melbourne legend Glenn Archer and Hawthorn defender Brian Lake.
Mr Solomon said the room was packed with 350 guests and everything from the humble lawn mower to a Ricky Pointing painting was sold at auction.
All funds raised on the evening will be donated to the Fishlock family to help parents Brad and Georgette remain home with Tyler, who is fighting for his life after being diagnosed with the rare genetic cancer retinoblastoma for the second time in his short life.
As a bubbly three-year-old, Tyler lost his eyesight after undergoing a lifesaving operation to remove tumours from his retinas. One eye was removed and the other was left blind. Seven years on the cancer has returned.
Last month a distraught Mrs Fishlock told Star 10-year-old Tyler was facing a “long haul” and the support from the Caroline Springs community had not gone unnoticed.
“The community has been so supportive. The gala event will help my husband stay at home … not worry about mortgage repayments and take care of our daughter.
“This is a huge battle and we don’t know the outcome. We just want to spend every minute we can with him.”
Mr Solomon said the display of support for the Fishlock family showed that even a young community like Caroline Springs could come together and make a difference.
“It was an unbelievable event that was fun filled but with a large undertone of emotion,” he said.
“The community really grew up on Saturday night.”
