Cameron Dunne has taken his first breathes of fresh air out of hospital care since a horrific spinal injury last month.
The Dunnstown Community Centre Hall was alive on Sunday where more than 500 people attended a special appeal for Mr Dunne.
A quad bike, Selkirk’s vouchers, holidays and movie tickets were some of 160 items auctioned at the appeal to raise funds for the Dunnstown footballer who attended the event.
“It’s great to get a bit of fresh air and see my mates,” Mr Dunne said.
“It’s been amazing, the support has been unbelievable. I didn’t expect anything like this.
“I think when you’re in a small community, especially a sporting community, once something bad happens everyone rallies around you and they scratch up a little bit to help.”
Mr Dunne, who sustained the injury while playing with Dunnstown in the Central Highlands Football League, said he was now basically teaching himself how to walk again.
The 20-year-old is staying at Ballarat’s Queen Elizabeth Rehabilitation Unit as he recovers from the spinal injury that has left him without feeling below his waist, difficulty walking, memory loss and plenty of pain.
He said the recovery had been an uneven path, but his mind remained determined and positive.
“I have good and bad days, but more ups than downs,” he said.
“I can stand up now, and occasionally take a few steps, but a lot of falls and a lot of stacks.”
St Patrick’s College senior football coach Howard Clark delivered a speech at the event and spoke of his own health battles.
Dunnstown Football Club president Mark Mullane said the event raised in excess of $30,000.
“I think it’s because of Cameron’s carefree attitude, that’s what we love about him around the football club,” Mr Mullane said.
“He takes it day-by-day. Him and his family are really overwhelmed and they just didn’t think this would happen.”
