THE family of a sick little boy will be reunited this Christmas, thanks to the generosity of the Tamworth community.
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It’s not just Christmas Day for the Jachim family, but little Aidan will also turn 11-years-old.
He's been in and out of hospital and surgery wards for much of the year, as the effects of a digestive condition, Hollow visceral myopathy, play havoc on his tiny body.
What’s worse, is the family have had to partially relocate to Sydney, where Aidan is receiving specialist treatment.
With his mum Belinda by his side, Aidan’s dad Shane has been making the regular trips to Sydney too and it’s taken its toll on the family car.
With expenses mounting, Mrs Jachim took to social media this month to seek out businesses that could offer a payment plan to help get the car back on the road – but what happened next was beyond her wildest dreams.
A lot of lovely people from the community have donated.
- Danielle Hogno
Local mother Danielle Hogno, has helped spearhead a fundraising campaign, which will see the Jachim family reunited on Saturday.
With her help, Valley Tyres has come on board to offer support to get the car back on the road, along with a service from John’s Autos, with donations from Red Scraps and Affordable Parts, Repco, Calibre Country and the Rebels Motorcycle Club.
“A lot of lovely people from the community have donated to the go fund me page, which anything over the (cost of) parts needed that’s raised, will go to Christmas and birthday presents for Aidan - whose birthday is Christmas day,” Ms Hogno said.
“Yummy Cakes has donated and will be making a cake to take down.”
Ms Hogno said when she saw the post, she and partner Clay knew they had to help.
The online fundraiser page has since raised more than $600, well beyond an initial target of $500.
Speaking to The Leader, Mrs Jachim said she was overwhelmed by the support – with presents and donations arriving at the family home. “I was a bit overwhelmed by it all actually,” Mrs Jachim said. “It was a great relief.”
“It (the car) was pretty much un-roadworthy.
“We have had so many trips back and forward and it’s been neglected a bit.
“There are so many other costs we had to consider and we hadn’t had a chance to get to it.
“When I’d realised I’d be here over Christmas I thought if I could organise it and I’d pay when I get home, that’d be great.
“But we were never expecting anyone to say they’d do it for nothing.”
Mrs Jachim said the community spirit has helped end the year on a high for the family.
The family has been partially living in Sydney for the past month, after a string of surgeries connected to Aidan’s condition.
“We have been running two households off one lot of payments,” she said.
“We are obviously not paying any rent or electricity here (in Sydney) but we do have to pay for food and the costs of living away as well and the costs at home.
“It has been a challenge at times.”