By BRIDGET COOK
COMMUNITY spirit has been in full swing the past few weeks following a workplace accident involving a well-known Blind Bight man.
Cardinia Cricket Club president and life member Luke Turner, 31, fell from a roof while at work on Monday 15 April and landed on his head.
Mr Turner was rushed to The Alfred hospital where he was put into an induced coma with swelling and bleeding to the brain.
While he still has a long way to go, over the past two weeks Mr Turner has been recovering better than expected and making progress day by day.
Since the accident, the local community has been working hard to raise money to help ease the burden of the rehabilitation costs for the Turner family and for The Alfred hospital.
Mr Turner is a well-known member of the community, having grown up in the Tooradin area and been involved in a number of sporting clubs including Tooradin Dalmore Football Club where he captained the reserves team through several seasons.
The ‘Luke Turner Foundation’ has been set up by members of the Cardinia Cricket Club, with people involved organising fundraising events and taking donations.
The Facebook page for the foundation has attracted about 800 people so far, with updates each day on Mr Turner’s progress and on different fundraiser going on.
Long-time friend of Mr Turner, Kane Latham, said the foundation was formed after a meeting at the Cardinia Cricket Club to look for ways to support the Turner family.
“For us, it was about doing something to help,” he said.
“It didn’t feel right to sit around and just wait.
“Luke is a fantastic guy with an awesome heart and this is the least we can all do.”
The foundation has raised more than $1000 already through a number of raffles, auctions and donations made from people all over the community.
Mr Latham said a sportsman’s night and a huge family fun day, with bands, rides and activities were in the pipeline.
Family friend Kate Gillespie said Mr Turner was still in hospital, but making great progress.
“Once at The Alfred hospital, Luke was put into an induced coma with swelling and bleeding to the brain,” she said.
“After various surgeries to stop the swelling, including removal of part of his skull, he remained in a coma until the following Monday.
“It was touch and go for Luke for this whole week and staff at the hospital along with Luke’s family were stunned and relieved when he woke and was as alert as he was.
“Day by day, Luke has come on in leaps and bounds and is currently able to walk and despite being a bit confused at times and wanting desperately to go home, he is displaying some great signs for his brain recovery.
“Physically Luke doesn’t seem to have done any major damage other than his brain.
“It is hoped that he will be moved to a rehab bed within the week where he can further improve and work on getting himself home.
“It is still too early to tell what permanent damage has been done.”
Ms Gillespie said Mr Turner’s family had been overwhelmed by the support they have received from the community.
“Luke’s family have been both comforted and overwhelmed by the huge amount of support that has been shown by not only family and friends, but the whole community,” she said.
“Everything from calls, texts, Facebook messages, food deliveries, visits and of course the setting up of the Luke Turner Foundation.
“They are also amazed and eternally grateful to the wonderful staff at The Alfred hospital who have been caring for Luke.
“Trish and Garry, Luke’s parents, wish to thank all those in the community for the amazing support for Luke and Trish says Luke’s recovery so far ‘is a true miracle’.”
To keep up with upcoming events or to make a donation search ‘Luke Turner Foundation’ on Facebook.
