Whenever one of us is in need, countless others drop everything to lend a hand as and where they can – whether financially or through providing services or social support.

Far be it from us to say any one campaign is more deserving than another, as all just further prove the big-hearted nature of the Sapphire Coast and wider region.

But earlier this year we brought you the story of Indigenous student Matari Cruse, who is a promising young sprinter with aspirations of one day representing Eden and Australia at Olympic Games level.

For the past two years Matari, 14, has competed at zone, regional and state levels in both the 100m and 200m sprint events. He has proven to be quick off the mark with personal best times of 12.22 seconds for the 100m sprint and 25.98 seconds for the 200m.

Those times and performances at state level caught the eye of selectors for the annual Australian Track and Field Athletics Tour, which flies out for Canada next month.

However, it comes at a cost to Matari and his family – around $20,000.

Matari has been fundraising for several months – the obligatory GoFundMe page is one avenue – but looks to be well short of that target.

There has already been some great community support as well as generous individual donations direct to Matari and his family from organisations including ESSCI, Katungul and the Lands Council to boost that GoFundMe figure. We also know from his family that a monster raffle is doing the rounds, with prizes of items and vouchers donated by local businesses.

However, to help out this young man with a bright future, we call on the community to rally once more for one of our own who could use an extra leg up. A little or a lot, it doesn’t matter, every donation is that much less Matari’s family will have to borrow from the banks to get him on a plane to Canada in June.

We know how wonderful this community has been in the past when asked to step up and it would be great to see Matari be able to take this big stride towards his dreams.

Matari’s GoFundMe page is here: www.gofundme.com/matari-s-athletics-tour-to-canada, or you can make direct contact with his mother Linda on  0424 224 104 to offer whatever assistance you are able.

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