Community rallies behind Austin's life-changing US adventure

Austin Manning's family has been fundraising for him to go to America where he will receive life-changing surgeries, and Specsavers Bayfair and Tauranga are now helping out. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER

More than $15,000 has been raised for Austin Manning's trip to America for life changing surgeries, with a major store now behind the cause.

The 7-year-old is one of 7000 people in New Zealand with cerebral palsy. He suffers from periventricular leukomalacia (a brain injury), asymmetric spastic quadriplegia, developmental delay and has problems with his vision.

There are no operations available in New Zealand to relieve the spasticity of his limbs caused by the cerebral palsy but there is one in the US. The surgery, which reduces muscle stiffness, is offered by Dr Park at St Louis Children's Hospital.

With donations having jumped up to $15,000 Austin's mum Helen Manning has been overwhelmed by the support being offered by the Tauranga community.

Specsavers Bayfair and Tauranga are now behind the cause and will donate $10 from every pair of children's glasses sold in-store until December to Austin, as well as throwing a fun day with face painting, balloon art and other fun activities on October 4 from 11am to 1pm.

Specsavers retail director Glenn Dunkerley said Austin had been coming into the store since he was a baby and he and others in the store had got to know the family really well.

"So we utilised our position in the public eye to raise a bit of cash for him."

Selling 50 pairs in the Bayfair store alone in August meant they had already raised at least $500 for his trip, he said.

The Tauranga Bridge Club recently donated $2885 to Austin's family while his primary, St Thomas More Catholic School, had raised $1785 from a bake sale.

Mrs Manning said the school's bake sales normally raised about $600 so was thrilled with the amount raised for Austin.

"One man walked straight up to Thomas [Austin's brother] and gave him $200 and said, 'This is for your brother'.

"It's just amazing. It's mind blowing. We can't believe how many wonderful people there are out there and how many people you don't know are so willing to get behind Austin and his cause."

The generosity had been surprising, she said.

Mrs Manning said when she started the journey she thought there would just be the odd donation through Austin's Givealittle page.

"I didn't expect the overwhelming support from our community. One of Austin's peers at his school donated $72 to his Givealittle page that he had been saving for a PlayStation and left a message 'I hope you have a good time when you are walking and I hope you like the feeling of it and nothing hurts'."

Austin also has picked up a penpal in Invercargill, also called Austin, through his Givealittle page, with the two writing frequently to each other, she said.