Seaforth family Tim, Gillian and four year old Eloise had just announced the happy news of Jill’s pregnancy when Tim was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma in his abdomen.
The community is now rallying behind them to offer financial and other support to buoy them while they take on the fight of their lives.
The sarcoma is large, aggressive and spreading rapidly. Tim has already commenced a gruelling regime of complex chemotherapies, with a full abdominal surgery scheduled for 3-6 months time. He will also undergo radiation therapy. Gillian, or Jill, will also be unable to work as she prepares for the birth of their second baby and commences unpaid maternity leave.
Gillian’s old school friend Nicki Geddes said Tim had been fixing up their family home himself, which also led him to leave his corporate life to take up a building apprenticeship and study full time just two years ago. All of this has stalled while he manages his health.
Manly Observer shared the family’s plight this week via a Go Fund me page, which has seen several thousand donated from locals, as well offers to help with building works, nannying or donated items for fundraising. You can view the fundraising page and contact organisers via the official page here.
Friend Nicki said the family had been touched by the offers of help with the building and nannying work required in about six months time. These offers can be directed to Nicki.
“We also want to give a huge thanks to your followers already, they have been so generous and supportive. The kindness of strangers is so heartening when we know it’s a hard time for a lot of people financially.”
Jill sent a direct note to donors yesterday:
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generous donations as we face this challenging time in our lives. Words cannot express how grateful we are to live in such an incredibly supportive community. To those that know us dearly and those that don’t know us at all, thank you again. Kindest regards Tim, Jill, Eloise and baby.”
