By Victoria Stone-Meadows
A YOUNG woman has organised her first community event to raise money for a family in need, and has succeeded in reaching her fund-raising goal.
Brooke Skews lost her best friend in a horror car smash in Lynbrook seven years ago, and has maintained close ties with the family since.
Since the shock death of 16-year-old Riyani Lowen, mother Emma Lowen has had a rough time coming to terms with the loss.
Ms Skews held a family fun day in Hampton Park to raise money to assist the Lowen family, and she says it was a huge success.
“It went really well,” Ms Skews said.
“The local CFA came down and that was big hit with the kids, everyone loved the music performers, Jarrod James and KidwithaKalling, they really got the crowd up and moving.
“All the volunteers on the day also helped out so much.”
Ms Skews said Emma Lowen was overwhelmed by the amount of community support that was shown through all the people attending and helping organise the family fun day.
“Emma was really overwhelmed with the support,” she said.
“It has been a long time she has been on her own dealing with it, and she hasn’t left the house in a while, but she came out for the fun day and knew how much effort everyone put in.
“Emma said it was nice to see Rianni’s friends come down with their kids and it was really nice to see her old friends, a really nice day overall.”
Ms Skews said getting the day organised was a really big task, but it was all worth it in the end knowing she has helped out her friends.
“I’m really relieved it is all over and I’ve never done anything like this before, so I’m really happy with how it all came together,” she said.
The Family Fun Day had heaps of activities such as potato sack races, egg and spoon races, a jumping castle, three leg races, face painting and more.
While Ms Skews hasn’t collected all the fund-raising money yet, she is confident she has reached her fund-raising goal.
“With all of the fund-raising that we and other businesses did, we would be at the $5000 mark or really close to it,” she said.
She also said the number of local businesses that donated goods and items to the cause made a big difference.
“There are so many people to thank, but I especially want to thank the local Bendigo Bank branches for their surprise fund-raising efforts and the Hampton Park Community House for all their work helping me out,” Ms Skews said.
To find out more about the Lowen family or to donate to the cause, visit www.gofundme.com/helpemgethelp.
