Lachlan Hulley’s grandparents Heather and John Holtham auctioned a cow on Monday to raise funds for the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre.Norm Dickson, with Heather Holtham, helped organise the sale of Angus cross steer Foster to help raise funds for cerebral palsy.By Rebecca Fraser
AN OFFICER couple parted with their cash cow –literally – on Monday to help raise funds for cerebral palsy.
Heather and John Holtham auctioned their Angus cross steer Foster at Pakenham’s Victorian Live Stock Exchange, with all funds raised going to the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC).
The couple’s fiveyearold grandson Lachlan Hulley was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after he was born 12 weeks premature, and he has attended CPEC since he was twoandahalf years old.
David Ross of Berwick purchased Foster for $930, Mrs Holtham said the family was overwhelmed by the final result.
Another $1650 was donated on the day by farmers and local business owners attending the saleyards.
“This is just much more than we ever expected to raise,” Mrs Holtham said. “We only really thought we would get about $500 or $600.”
Mrs Holtham said it cost an average of $10,000 a year to send a child to CPEC.
“CPEC receives around $4800 per child per year from the Department of Human Services for their early intervention programs,” she said.
“There is therefore a funding shortfall of $5000, part of which is paid for by parent fees.”
Norm Dickson helped organise the auction, and said the saleyard had forgone all sales fees on Monday.
Mrs Holtham said her grandson would be happy with the end result.
“He just loves cows and often comes down and helps feed them,” he said.
