By Brendan Rees
More than 200 people turned out for a fundraiser walk at the Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens on Saturday 23 February.
The annual walk hosted by the Jared Dunscombe Fund helped raised funds to provide an assistance dog for 28-year-old Joel Sardi who became a quadriplegic as a result of an accident.
The walk is held in memory of Jared Dunscombe, a Cranbourne Rotary Club member whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 31 in 2013.
Mr Dunscombe’s sister Jonelle Colabufalo said Joel had previously applied to every organisation for a mobility assistance dog but their waiting lists were full and closed.
“The Jared Dunscombe Fund raised $5,000 on Saturday to help Joel receive his assistance dog. Joel is so close to receiving his dog and this will happen within the next few months,” she said.
“We are now only just under our target of $35,000 with only $5,000 more to raise – we are so close to making this a reality.”
An assistance dog would help with dressing, fetching a blanket, emergency alert bark, getting the phone and more.
“We are so grateful to all those who came to the walk – and to those who couldn’t make it but donated to our cause, we appreciate your support,” Ms Colabufalo said.
Rotary Club of Cranbourne also provided a barbecue for all participants at the end of the five-kilometre walk.Ms Colabufalo thanked The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. “It was a really great morning, such a positive energy around with the perfect weather, great turn out and wonderful venue.”
She added it was fantastic to have Joel and his partner Elisa present on the day as well as the Righteous Pups Australia team
“There are so many others who contributed in their own way on Saturday and we count ourselves so lucky to have your support, thank you.”
