Eight year old Marli Martin was diagnosed with Diabetes insipidus (DI) in December 2013.  Marli’s aunt Kayleen Pagett said that DI is a result of damage to the pituitary gland and since Marli’s diagnosis she has undergone MRI tests, spinal taps and a PET scan to try to find the cause.  In July a biopsy was taken from her pituitary gland that identified a malignant brain tumour needing chemotherapy and radiation.

Marli’s Rainbow Smile is an organisation established to help assist Marli with her treatment along with the constant day to day care and support for her family.  Marli’s parents Craig and Anne have had to leave Marli’s siblings with family members while they tend to her treatment at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.

A fundraising event for Marli and family will be held in Gunning on Saturday 25 October, a BYOG 3 course meal.  Mark Power, DJ Extraordinaire will preside over auctions, games and raffles at the Gunning Shire Hall from 6.30pm.  Tickets are $50pp and available from the Gunning Service Centre and Gunning Early Learning Centre.  

SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY

Fund raising in Marli’s support has continued to gather pace with raffles, donations and a terrific wood auction, auspiced by the Gunning PA&I Society at the Gunning Lions Market Day on 30 August.

Gunning Show secretary Jen Medway said “We were absolutely thrilled by the turnout of wood suppliers, buyers and raffle ticket buyers.”  She put a call out to friends and neighbours and had an amazing response, ending up with 17 loads. Suppliers were Martin Walsh, Matt Hewitt, Maddie and Don Guilfoyle, Gary Hallam, Tub Apps, Nic Clancy, John and Phil Granger, Chook Green, the Dowling Family, Jack Medway, Geoff and Debbie Selmes, John and Suzi Shaw, Grant Morris, Wes Cosgrove, Frank Hannan, Rick Hinds, Andrew and Duncan Makeig.

A MILLION BIDS!

Karen Southwell made a million bids and eventually got a load and was thanked for pushing up the price on almost every load with her bids!  Major thanks go to Dave and Sue Smith from the Telegraph Hotel for buying four loads that culminated in a hilarious haggling struggle over the final ute load that ended up going for $600!  Barry Waters was another keen buyer.  Jen said that people paid much more than ‘market value’ because the proceeds were going to such a good cause.

RAFFLE AND DONATIONS

On the day a massive effort was made to sell raffle tickets by Mardi Lees, Lana Martin, Tub Apps and Jen Medway.  Many thanks go to those who donated prizes – 4 meat trays from a lamb donated by Tub Apps cut up by Ben at the Gunning Butchery who also donated meat.  Phil the Fruito also helped out with a generous fruit tray.  Prize winners were Bec Leonard, Alison (from Gunning Early Learning Centre), Andrew Basnett, Swifty (Ladevale) and Peter Crowe.

Volunteers passed round the bucket and were overwhelmed with an astounding amount of donations, showing the spirit and generosity of the Gunning community.  There were not just gold coins going in but all denominations of notes as well.

Marli’s story has touched a lot of hearts.