11 October 2022
By JimmyNolan
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Eric Vavaki, a Solomon Islander who faces possible deportation from Australia after a vehicle accident in Toogoolawah, in the Somerset Region of south-east Queensland, resulted in the lower part of his body is paralysed.
Eric was a passenger in the backseat of a car, on his way to have a meal at a friend's house when the accident occurred.
Unable to work and with nowhere to live, Mr Vavaki faces an uncertain future.
A GoFundMe campaign has since been set up by Katrina Spencer, who met Eric while visiting her father who was also admitted at the same Spinal Cord Unit.
"We wish to raise funds for his day to day living. He needs money for clothes, for food and for transport whilst he is rehabilitating, re-skilling and building his new life.
"We met Eric at the PA Spinal Cord Unit, seven months ago whilst visiting our dad who had suffered a fall and was also in the SCU. Eric is an amazing man - motivated, positive and humble."
She says that despite his situation, he has not shown any anger or animosity at what has happened, despite that he was the only one of five injured seriously in a car accident.
“He loves Australia and is so grateful to this amazing country for giving him the opportunity to live a dream life here."
The GoFundMe campaign https://www.gofundme.com/f/eric-vavaki-stay-in-australia has set itself a target, enough to get his life back on track and assist with his day to day living.
Source – Solomon Times Online.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
