Yarra’s Edge gets behind the Ashtons

Yarra’s Edge came together late in February and raised $10,445 for the Ashton family, which is in Docklands awaiting a lung transplant for their son Coen.

The Ashtons are from Queensland but have been in Melbourne since October to be close to the Alfred Hospital for when the call comes through that a pair of donor lungs has become available.

14-year-old Coen was born with cystic fibrosis and spends two weeks out of every four in the Royal Children’s Hospital preparing for the transplant.

Docklands has taken the family under its wing since it ran out of funds and moved out of the NewQuay apartment it was renting.

The community fund-raiser at the Loading Dock Bar and Grill on February 29 took the form of a trivia night, interspersed with auctions conducted by Coen himself and local real estate agent Baden Lucas. Coen’s brother Kai drew the raffles.

The Ashtons have thanked local businesses which donated goods for auction, including Fruit For You and Flowers Too, Bistro Vite, Mad Duck Cafe, Papillon Day Spa as well as some South Melbourne Market stall holders.

The family has also expressed its gratitude to the hastily-convened organising committee of Helen and Robert Voges, Dawn Holmes, Nanice Ducksworth, Wendy and Laura Egan.

Some 100 people attended to support the event, which was “MC’d” by Robert Voges and led by Rick Bruce as quiz master, ably assisted by side kick, “The Captain”.

“The Captain” and one of the “phone police” were reportedly embroiled in allegations of bribery, which added to the fun of the night.