
By Callan Date
BERWICK will host a garage sale with a difference this Saturday.
Members of the Berwick Church of Christ community are calling on Casey residents to donate goods to help raise money for Operation Ana.
Driven by Gloria Hardy and Sylvia Gray, the initial fundraising efforts have successfully raised money to operate on Ana, the young Indonesian woman whose arm was severely damaged in a fire when she was five.
A chance meeting with Ms Hardy and Ms Gray in 2005 changed Ana’s life.
The women raised enough money to have Ana’s arm reconstructed but now more surgery is required.
“Although the operations were free of charge, funds were needed for transport by ferry or plane to Bali for Ana and her support person, accommodation after surgery whilst getting daily checks, meals and incidental expenses,” Ms Gray said.
“Ana was left at an orphanage, either because of poverty or because she was regarded as useless.
“With her new confidence, she has been accepted for a college in Indonesia, which would never have happened without the surgery,” she said.
Ms Gray said all funds were now depleted and the garage sale was a way of continuing to raise money for Operation Ana.
All money raised on Saturday will go towards the operation.
The sale will be this Saturday 15 September from 8.30am at 2 County Drive, Berwick (corner of Centre Road). Goods and cash donations are wanted. For details call Sylvia Gray on 9705 0339.