Generosity has come from far and wide as people from the whole district came together to take part in a sheep sale to raise funds for 20-year-old footy enthusiast Josh Hanlon – or ‘Chook’ as he is affectionately called – who recently contracted the bacterial virus Strep A which left him on life support at Wagga Wagga Rural Referral Hospital.
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The ‘Josh Hanlon Sheep Drive’ was held at the Griffith Saleyards on Friday, but the community will continue to hold more sales and events to raise more funds for Mr Hanlon, who is currently in need of prosthetics.
Family friend Paul Northey shared a little about what happened to Mr Hanlon.
“He played football on a Saturday long weekend and then contracted a bacterial virus, and by Monday night he was on life support,” Mr Northey said.
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“The initial drug they gave him lowered his blood pressure and his blood flow – it stopped the blood flow to the extremities in his body.”
“It saved his life, but he’s lost his right hand, and both legs were amputated.”
Mr Northey said Mr Hanlon still has a long way to go and may be at the hospital for another three or four weeks.
He said the Hanlon family is “very humbled by the support and donations”.
Friend Emma Northey, who attended the same school as Mr Hanlon, said “he is a really nice guy, friendly, a big sportsman.”
Mr Hanlon played football as a ruckman all over, including teams with North Wagga, Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong and Tullibigeal, and developed a great circle of friends who are looking to support him during his recovery.
He was fit as a fiddle one day then within two or three days was almost dead.
- Paul Northey
Family friend John Staniforth said Mr Hanlon is doing much better.
“He was on a respirator but he’s off that now, and he’s had a good night sleep,” Mr Staniforth said.
“Most of us have got kids and we just can’t imagine what it’s been like for them for the last few weeks.
“But I just can’t believe it.
“He plays football, so he was fit as a fiddle one day then within two or three days was almost dead.”
“Chook is a very proud person and didn’t expect any assistance, but let’s all dig deep and help out one of our local boys on his long road to recovery,” Mr Northey said.
Approximately 450 sheep from 51 vendors were donated for the sale.
It was predicted approximately $60,000 would be raised at the one sale alone.
To make a donation:
National Australia Bank - Wagga Wagga
BSB 082 912
Account 578331869
Account Name: Andrew and Leanne Hanlon ATF Josh William Hanlon
