Paying It Forward And Beyond

Just five years old, Carmello Vella lies in a hospital bed following three surgeries after a freak accident on the family farm last week.

On Monday, November 7, Carmello was on the family tractor when he lost his balance, fell and was dragged under the tractor.

His mum, Charlene Vella said it was literally a freak accident.

“He has a broken jaw in two places, neck and spinal ligament damage, friction burn down the left side of his face and neck and down his right arm,” Mrs Vella said.

“He is currently in a full cast from his head and upper body for the next three months.”

Mrs Vella said that the family had an Agricultural diesel mechanic business, but things had been hard.

“After my third and fourth pregnancies my health deteriorated and I have only just recovered,” she said.

“Then we’ve had floods and COVID - it has just been one thing after another.”

When asked how she felt about the way her community had rallied around them, she said the accident had impacted the entire farming community.

“Every little bit counts,” she said.

“Coming from an agricultural community… I’m a big believer in my heartache is someone else’s eye opening.

“Accidents happen, even if your child has grown up on the family farm and is farm aware.”

For every meal purchased at Arturo’s Pizza and Pasta from Tuesday, November 15 to Thursday, November 17, the restaurant donated $2 to the Vella family.

They also had a donation jar available for anyone who wanted to make an extra donation of their own.

A GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/6esdn-helping-carmelo was set up by Teneil Holland from the P&C of Londonderry Public School where Carmelo attends to show their support for one of their generous families who always soffers their own support and help when others are in need.

They are also organising a raffle and have asked for donations of money or raffle prizes from the local community.

Tickets will be $5 each or 3 tickets for $10 and will be available from Londonderry ELC from Monday, November 28.

In the meantime, if you are able to contribute, please contact the team at Londonderry ELC on 02 4777 5296 or email londonderry@earlylearningservices.com.au.

You can even pop in.

With the money raised by the community through the GoFundMe page - some will be spent on Carmelo’s needs, but the majority of it will be forward flowed to Westmead Children’s Hospital to help other families struggling financially.

Mrs Vella said that speaking to some of the families at the hospital they have met people who are far worse off than they are financially so they want to do what they can to help those families as well.

• Topics:

• Health & Wellness
• Community
• Fundraiser