Help for Ben

By Sarah Schwager
THINGS are looking up for the fate of young Cranbourne assault victim Ben Thompson.
The 22-year-old was left in a coma with an acquired brain injury (ABI) after he was punched to the face outside his home on 27 June.
His family struggled to find a place for him at a rehabilitation facility to get him the care he required while he took up bedspace at trauma hospital The Alfred.
Two weeks ago he was moved to the Victorian Rehabilitation Centre in Glen Waverley.
The move came just days after $1000 was raised to go towards his care.
Ben’s former landlord, Clyde boxing trainer Bill Nikolakos, donated a cricket bat signed by Don Bradman, which was auctioned off at a kickboxing tournament at Southbank and fetched the generous price.
It was a double cause for celebration for Mr Nikolakos, with his fighter Tass Tsitsiras winning the Victorian 70kg title.
A replica WBC Mohammed Ali belt will be raffled off at an upcoming event.
Girlfriend Dani Walker said she was absolutely rapt at Ben’s progress.
“He is so close to speaking,” she said.
“The section he is in is brand new – he was the third patient to be moved in. The nurses are just lovely.”
She thanked everyone for their thoughts, phone calls, and efforts raising money for Ben’s family.
“It is fantastic to know there are so many people out there who care,” Ms Walker said.
She said she was planning on organising a big fundraising event next year to get together Ben’s friends and other locals who knew him.
She has already had the offer of a cake donated from Michel’s Patisserie in Cranbourne and has friends who own bottle shops who may be able to donate bottles of alcohol.
Anyone who is able to donate any goods for the fundraising raffle or to buy tickets for the replica belt raffle can call 0420 693 032.
People can also donate to the Benjamin Thompson Trust Fund at any Bendigo Bank branch.
Ms Walker said she was hopeful about what lay in the new year.
“I’m going to decorate his (Ben’s) room. I’ve bought tinsel and everything,” she said.