CFA’s Loch Sport Fire Brigade recently donated $2000 towards helping a local teenager with cerebral palsy fulfil a dream.
Xavier Dirksen, 17, loves school and has an intrepid spirit, so his family does everything possible to give him the same opportunities and experiences other teenagers get.
They are working hard to raise $100,000 to buy a specialised vehicle modified to help Xavier travel to school and other places he enjoys.
Loch Sport Captain Dennis Berg read about the Dirksen’s fundraising efforts in a local newspaper and was compelled to do what he could to help.
“At one of our meetings, I showed the troops the article and suggested we donated some money generated from our own fundraising efforts,” Dennis said.
“Everyone readily agreed and we put plans in motion to send $2000 to the family.”
Dennis and several other CFA volunteers visited Xavier and his family last Sunday, 25 September to tell them the good news.
“The smile on Xavier’s face said it all,” Dennis said.
“He got his carer to put him in his wheelchair so he could come over and give me a hug, which was so heartfelt and really quite emotional.”
ABC Gippsland interviewed Dennis in a story about Xavier, which you can listen to here.
When journalist Simon Galletta asked Xavier how the vehicle would help him, he used his communication assistance device to respond “dream”.
Author: CFA Media