Left: Hampton Park autistic girl Claudia Sacco is in desperate need of funds to continue her essential, but expensive, music therapy. By Alison Noonan
A YOUNG Hampton Park autistic sufferer may miss out on vital therapy if her family’s fundraising plans fail to receive community support.
Tania Sacco says she is desperate to sell more tickets to an upcoming dinner dance to raise muchneeded funds for her fouryearold daughter Claudia.
Claudia, who was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism last year, is unable to speak, has limited comprehension and is completely dependent on her mother.
The family is relying on oneonone intensive therapy ABA and Tomatis music therapy as their daughter’s best chance at a better quality of life.
However, at $30,000 and $5000 respectively, the treatment is almost impossible for the Saccos to afford.
“We desperately need these therapies, but we can’t afford them on just one wage,” Mrs Sacco said.
“If she had access to these therapies she could have a chance at being selfsufficient.”
In a lastditch effort to afford Claudia “the life every child deserves”, Mrs Sacco has spent the past few months organising a special fundraising dinner dance at the Grand International Entertainment Centre in Dandenong.
She said that while she had been overwhelmed at the donations provided to her for the dinner by the community, she had sold less than half the tickets required to go ahead with the evening.
“I have had a lot of feedback for donations and have some fantastic prizes to raffle and auction off,” she said.
“I have received cash donations, gym memberships, food vouchers, a voucher for Casey Arc, DVDs and football memorabilia.
“However, we haven’t had a great response for tickets and I desperately need to sell more.”
Mrs Sacco said she feared if she didn’t sell the 200odd remaining tickets she would be forced to cancel the whole event.
“If we don’t sell them all there is a chance we will have to cancel and that would be devastating,” she said.
“I have put so much work into this and it will be such a great night. It will be a lot of fun.”
Mrs Sacco encouraged businesses to book a table and use the function as the work Christmas party.
“Tickets are $40, which includes a live band, a DJ, threecourse meal, soft drink, coffee and tea and raffles.
“The whole night is already organised so it would make for the perfect night out as a Christmas party or get together with friends.
“I am hoping to fill all 300 seats, so it should be a big night,” she said.
Melbournebased fivepiece soul/blues band Nikki D and the Soul Providers have offered their services free for the night.
“I spoke to Tania about a month ago after reading about her story in the newspaper,” singer Nikki Desveaux said.
“The ticket sales are down and that is really sad.
“So we are giving our services free for the night in a bid to muster more community support,” she said.
The fundraising dinner will be held at the Grand International on Friday 4 November.
Tickets are available from Tania on 0438 390 002 or donations can be made to A Future For Claudia, PO Box 101, Hampton Park, 3976.
A website containing details of the dinner dance can be found at www.afuture4claudia.org.
