The small community of Manor Lakes is rallying behind the family of three children killed when the car they were in plunged into a lake last week, with a fundraising event planned for next weekend.
Local sporting clubs are organising the family event, which will include a jumping castle, raffle, stalls and music performances, with all proceeds to go to the family.
Organisers of the Angels Fundraising Event say they have been inundated with support and donations from the Manor Lakes and wider Wyndham Vale communities.
Bradley Munari, president of the Manor Lakes Basketball Club, said he had met a family member to seek their permission to hold the fundraiser.
“When I spoke to the family involved I said that we wanted to make it more of a celebration sort of thing,” Mr Munari said. “And they were all for that.”
A permanent memorial for the three children is also planned. Mr Munari said he was in talks with the council, and residents had spoken about requesting a change of name for the lake, with Unity Lake or Angels Lake popular suggestions.
The fundraiser will be held next Sunday from 3pm at the Manor Lakes Football Club.
Hundreds of white balloons will be sold for $1 each, and will be released after a minute’s silence shortly before 7pm.
The event will end with attendees lighting a candle in honour of one-year-old Bol, four-year-old Madit and his twin sister, Anger.
The siblings died when the car they were travelling in careered off the road into Lake Gladman in Wyndham Vale on Wednesday afternoon. Their sister Awel, 5, remains in hospital.
The driver of the car, the children’s mother, was released from police custody on Thursday night and family members have firmly stated they believe the crash was a tragic accident, not a deliberate act.
Chaplain Jackson Soma, parish priest at the Anglican Church of Footscray, is in close contact with the family and has said they will need financial assistance to cover the cost of the children’s funerals.
Mr Munari said the football club could hold as many as 5000 people and he was confident more than 1500 would attend.
“I’ve got no doubt we could possibly make $10,000,” he said.
Sporting clubs across Victoria have been approached to be involved with the fundraiser, with North Melbourne Football Club donating a signed guernsey.
Mr Munari, a father of two, said the lake tragedy had devastated the community and the fundraiser was a way for residents to show their support for the family.
“I think it’s really touched everyone, not only those with children but everyone.”
A small group of residents held a candle-lit vigil at the lake’s edge on Saturday night. Simon Vallone, a disability worker, attended the vigil and said it was about the community coming together and supporting each other.
“The best way for people to overcome the issues they face is to harness the support from their communities,” Mr Vallone said.
This story first appeared in The Age
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