The Tathra surfing community has banded together to help one of its young sons through the most difficult battle of his life.
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Over $75,000 was raised at the Tathra Sunshine Club Boardriders fundraiser in August for Jason “Appsy” Apps who was tragically left a quadriplegic in April after a snowboarding accident in the mountains of Canada.
The 20-year-old made his first trip back to the Bega Valley for the night and was surprised when the club presented him with a yet to be modified van that will allow him the freedom to get to one of his favourite places - the beach.
“It’s epic,” Jason said while driving back to Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital with his brother Will on Thursday.
“It was awesome to see some of the friends I haven’t seen in almost a year.
“It was a pretty overwhelming situation.”
He said he took some time to sit on Tathra Beach and watch the Pacific Ocean waves roll in.
Jason is hoping to be back home in Springvale by the middle of November, with construction of a rehabilitation room, new deck and carport beginning as soon as possible.
His brother Will thanked everyone involved for their generosity.
“I want to thank everyone at the boardriders club, everyone who donated and everyone who came along,” he said.
The club and the family would like to thank Bega Cheese for being the major supporter of the event.
Will also thanked the club for the van that once modified in Melbourne will allow Jason to travel together, dramatically improving his quality of life while rehabilitating.
“It will be our freedom,” he said.
“It was a pretty cool surprise and it’s the first brand new car we’ve ever had,” he said with a laugh.
So far almost $150,000 has been raised for Jason since his accident.
The wider community expressed their support via social media.
“You guys should be proud of your efforts pulling the event together,” Derek van Bracht said on the club’s Facebook page.
