Community gets behind little fighter

More than 170 people donned yellow and took to the bowling green recently in support of a Geraldton youngster battling a rare form of childhood cancer.

Twelve-year-old Eli Forrester was just five-years-old when he was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma and since then he has endured numerous chemotherapy courses and hospital stays.

On May 15, a charity bowls day which attracted a large crowd, including people from Chapman Valley, Northampton, Yuna, and the Chapman Valley Football Club, raised $7009.15 for the Forrester family.

Eli’s mother, Bianca Forrester, said she and her family deeply appreciated the love and support shown by friends, family and the wider community.

“This support will relieve an immense amount of financial pressure to allow us to focus on Eli’s recovery,” Ms Forrester said.

“Eli has been discharged from hospital now and will now spend the next several weeks in Perth rebuilding physically from the effects of the chemo.”

Ms Forrester’s partner, Kevin Turner said he appreciated all the sponsors, particularly Ms Forrester’s employer, Graham Sertorio from Dome Geraldton who organised the event.

He said without them and the people who attended, the day would not have been as successful as it was.

“The generosity of the Geraldton community is simply amazing. The bowls day really did exceed everyone’s expectations and I think this is a true reflection of the people Bianca and Eli are, two absolutely beautiful souls fighting a very tough and challenging fight,” Mr Turner said.

To follow Eli’s journey, visit www.gofundme.com/2rxg4huh.