NEWS DESK
Rallying around Cara: That’s The Thing About Fishing members and friends held a fundraiser for a young Carrum Downs girl who suffered horrific burns in an accident. Picture: Gary Sissons
Support for burns victim soars Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au
8 Perfect Hearts & 8 Perfect Arrows
A FISHING group that hosts lessons for disadvantaged and disabled children has rallied around to help a 7-year-old Carrum Downs girl who suffered burns to more than 60 per cent of her body in October. Cara Elfring is in the burns unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital and has had nine operations including skin grafts and will undergo more surgeries in the months and years ahead. Cara’s parents Sally and Ashley ‘Pav’ Elfring have spent most of their time at their youngest daughter’s hospital bedside since the horrific accident. That’s The Thing About Fishing heard about the young girl’s plight and organised a fundraiser at the Seaford Hotel early in December that raised more than $13,000 towards the Care For Cara campaign. More donations will still help Cara on the road to recovery and the Elfring family is looking to move to a disabled-friendly home since she will be wheelchair bound for up to 12
months while undergoing rehabilitation. Cara will spend Christmas and New Year at the Royal Children’s Hospital. “Cara’s going to need ongoing procedures for the rest of her life,” Mr Elfring said. “The majority of her torso is severely burnt. The money will be going directly to her for any needs she requires.” Cara’s two brothers and a sister are looking forward to welcoming her back home. That’s The Thing About Fishing co-founder Glenn ‘The Guru’ Cooper said the group will keep helping the Elfring family after Cara’s return from hospital next year. “We’ll hold the money in trust and help the family with money for Cara as it’s needed,” Mr Cooper said. n People wanting to donate to the Care For Cara campaign can make donations by bank transfer to Bendigo Bank account name CARE FOR CARE, BSB 633-000, Account number 1615 465 69. See thatsthethingaboutfishing.org.au for more details about the group’s community charity work.
Home and dry: VMR crewman Bob Chase looks on as the dismasted yacht is towed to shore. Picture: Supplied
Saved with ship-to-shore call A STRONG south-easterly wind was the last thing two Hobie cat sailors needed after losing their mast about two kilometres off Mornington last week. Their craft was rapidly heading out to sea when Volunteer Marine Rescue crews received an emergency call from the Water Police. They were quickly on the scene to help, 11.40am, Monday 4 December. VMR crewman Bob Chase: “We were alongside the stricken yacht within 30 minutes
PAGE 6
Frankston Times 11 December 2017
of the call. The two occupants in their mid-late 30s were glad to see us. They did all the right things. They were wearing lifejackets and had a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.” VMR vessel AK1 towed the stricken cat back to Fishermans beach. VRM president Tim Warner said anyone in trouble on the water to call 000 or the VMR number 0419 233 999.