The Griffith community again demonstrated why it is known for its generosity on Saturday, October 15 at a fundraiser held for 15-year-old Tilly who injured her spinal cord after diving into her backyard pool resulting in tetraplegia.

Close to 300 people attended the trivia night, raising more than $17,000 to help Tilly’s family purchase a fully modified wheelchair access vehicle. 

But it was the surprise arrival of Tilly on the night that blew everyone away, and made them realise exactly how worthwhile the cause was.

“She is just an amazing young woman,” one organiser Katie Billing said.

“She said she wasn’t going home and would be the last one to go on the night and she was.

“Her friends from school were there and she was out on the dance floor with them and it was so special.”

Combined with further funds raised over the unWINEd weekend the total raised for Tilly’s family nearly reached $20,000.

“There were lots and lots of tears,” Ms Billing said.

“They are now in a position where they can start looking to buy the car to help transport her around.”

Ms Billing said the support shown by the community towards Tilly and her family had been overwhelming.

“We just really want to thank the community for what they did on the night,” she said.

‘They really dug deep.”

A bank account has been set up for those who would like to further donate to help Tilly and her family, whose costs will be ongoing, the details are BSB -062548, account number -10567463.