By DANIELLE GALVIN
A HORROR crash at Catani that claimed the lives of four members of a Poowong family has galvanised the local community into a fund-raising effort for the surviving children. A family fun day in Pakenham later this month will raise money for Sam Beckett, 9, who survived the deadly 28 February crash, and his 16-year-old sister Victoria, who wasn’t travelling in the car.
Organisers Carol Clifford and Kerri Adkin are leading the fund-raising effort for the family fun day on 23 March from 10am-5pm.
Sam was the sole survivor after the family car was incinerated when it collided with a truck at the interstection of Caldermeade and Heads road, just before 9am.
Parents Jade and Stephen Beckett, and two younger siblings Ella, 6, and William, 2, were killed.
The crash was described as one of the worst in recent times by Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill.
Noble Park truck driver Jobandeep Gill was granted bail last week despite police concerns that he was a flight risk.
The 27-year-old has been charged with culpable driving, failing to stop at a stop sign and other related offences.The case was adjourned for a committal mention on 12 June.
The event ‘A Future for Sammy and Victoria Family Fun Day’ is a show of support for the children left behind.
“We got the ball rolling and something that has started small is getting bigger by the day,” Carol said.
On the Facebook page set up to promote the event, there are photos of the Poowong family and comments from people offering their support and services.
“On Friday 28 February the lives of four amazing people were lost,” the Facebook page reads.
“Together as a community and state-wide we are raising funds to secure the future for these two children who have had their lives turned upside down.
“Please dig deep and help us give Victoria and Sammy the best they deserve.”
The police and fire brigade have been contacted to do a display as well as the SES and Rotary, who have been asked to look after a barbecue on the day.
Kerri said there were bands booked for the event, as well as plenty of entertainment and other fund-raising activities.
“We have a Dora character and a photographer with Dora,” she said.
“We are hoping to get a few more mascots and characters, we’ve got a raffle, auction, balloon making, jumping castle, magic show and stallholders.”
The organisers are also hoping to get more businesses on board to donate larger items for the auction and raffle.
“We are short on medium to large donations to auction, we have lots of small auction items but we need bigger things which we are still chasing,” Carol said.
“It would be fantastic if we could have more.”
They say they have been “overwhelmed” by the support so far.
Bank details for cash donations are yet to be confirmed but Carol and Kerri are encouraging anyone who can help to contact them through the Facebook page www.facebook.com/Sammyandvictoriafuture or Kerri on cabury77@hotmail.com and Carol on bromexp@gmail.com
