Shelly’s night for injured surfer
May 29, 2008
Section: News, Community
KATINA CURTIS
LOCAL surfing and business communities are rallying around Kiama surfer Darren Longbottom and donating generously for a benefit night for him.
Mr Longbottom broke his neck in a surfing accident in the Mentawai Islands, off the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, last week.
“He was just surfing along and he went to pull off the back of the wave and, as surfers do, he dived off and he’s gone one way, his board’s gone the other and he’s gone down head first into his board,” Mr Longbottom’s friend Steve Conti said.
The surfer was evacuated by helicopter and jet to a hospital in Singapore, where his family joined him from Australia.
Mr Conti said doctors had put two plates in to replace the broken vertebrae and a metal rod down Mr Longbottom’s spine.
“The report I got this morning was that he can actually move his fingers a little bit now and he’s got a tiny bit of movement in his arms but from the chest down he’s paralysed and can’t feel anything,” Mr Conti added.
It is unknown how long Mr Longbottom will have to remain in the Singapore hospital.
Mr Conti is organising a benefit to raise money to help with the cost of the hospital stay, his return to Australia and the rehabilitation to follow, as well as all the costs associated with his family being in Singapore.
The fundraiser night is at Shellharbour Workers’ Club on Thursday, July 3 and tickets went on sale yesterday morning.
The evening will involve traditional and silent auctions, a raffle and a balloon auction.
Mr Conti said Kiama and Shellharbour business houses had been very generous in donating gift vouchers, services and goods for these auctions.
He has also received donated goods from many of the major surfing companies.
As well, world champion surfer Mick Fanning has given one of his boards signed by 44 surfers on the pro circuit.
“The support Darren’s getting from everyone is absolutely amazing,” Mr Conti said.
“He’s a down-to-earth guy and he’s very well loved in the community.”
Tickets for the benefit night cost $100, which includes a two-course meal and drinks. They are available from the Shellharbour Workers Club on 4296 7155.
Raffle tickets will be sold through local schools and businesses.