By BRIDGET COOK
JARED Dunscombe overcame adversity and went onto to inspire and help others before his life was cut short in February last year.
Now one year on from the tragedy that rocked the community, his family will launch a fund in his honour to keep his memory alive and continue his work in helping those who are less fortunate.
The Cranbourne Rotary club member was killed, aged 31, when he fell from his bike and was struck by a truck and trailer travelling in the same direction while taking part in the Rotary fundraising event – Ride to Conference.
Mr Dunscombe had once beaten the odds to live after he was hit by a car when he was seven years old when doctors gave him no chance of survival, and if he did survive, they said he would never be able to walk or talk.
He defied the odds and not only survived but went on to live quite a remarkable life, including completing the Kokoda Trail, the Portsea Swim Classic and the San Remo Channel swim.
He became involved with the Cranbourne Rotaract Club at a young age and was also involved in a group called TRAG – Teenagers Road Accident Group – which saw him visiting schools and speaking to students about the dangers of modern driving.
His sister Jonelle Colabufalo said his family decided to start The Jared Dunscombe Fund as a way of keeping his story and memory alive.
“Jared supported so many community groups and charities over the years so we know that he will be happy we are using his name to continue his good work,” she said.
Ms Colabufalo said her brother was an inspiration to so many people and the fund would be his legacy.
“Jared’s story is a unique one in that he had survived a big tragedy in his first accident and had overcome so many injuries and defied all the odds,” she said.
“Given the extent of his injuries and the prognosis he was given, what he went on to achieve was amazing.
“The amazing thing about him was that now when people talk to me about him, no matter whether they knew him really well or only met him briefly, there is always the common thing about his big smile, strong handshake, happy demeanour and how much he cared for others.
“I just really wanted to keep all of those memories going.”
Ms Colabufalo said the fund, part of the Australian Communities Foundation, would raise money to support groups, individuals and projects that Ms Dunscombe would have supported had he still been here to do so.
“We will focus on those things that Jared was most passionate about – predominantly children and the disadvantaged, as well as groups which Jared was closely involved in such as TRAG,” she said.
The fund will be officially launched, and the first fundraising event as part of fund will be held, on the one year anniversary of Mr Duncombe’s death – Saturday 22 February.
The inaugural event – Walk for Jared – will take place at Silvan Reservoir Park from 8am, with participants having the choice of two bush trails of either two of four kilometres.
The event aims to raise $20,000 to bring a child to Australia from a developing country who requires a serious operation which is not accessible to them in their home country.
Ms Colabufalo said the walk would provide an opportunity for those who knew her brother, or those who are simply inspired by his story, to continue his legacy of community spirit and fundraising.
To register for the walk, or to sponsor one of the 2014 participants, visit the event website www.jaredfund.org.
All donations received are fully tax deductible.
Registration is a $10 donation to the fund.
The Rotary Club of Cranbourne will be running a barbecue on site to raise extra funds and refuel any hungry walkers at the end of the walk.
