A large fundraising push is underway in support of shark attack survivor Brett Connellan.
The Kiama Downs surfer has spent a month recuperating in St George Hospital after suffering serious injuries to his hand and thigh in an encounter with a great white shark at Bombo Beach, March 30.
Supporters have now organised a fundraiser to help finance what is expected to be a long, complex and expensive program of rehabilitation.
“So far Brett’s come a long way for a relatively short time, but the ongoing treatment and rehabilitation is where I think the long road really kicks in, and that’s where it becomes a real financial strain,” said Dylan Perese, owner of the Thirroul surf shop where Mr Connellan works, DP Surfboards.
“I guess that’s the main reason for a lot of this fundraising – to not only show moral support but to show financial support too, to help him on this long road and help his family on this really long road to recovery.”
Mr Perese is accepting bids on donated works by northern suburbs artist Paul Ryan and photographers Warren Keelan and Ray Collins in the lead-up to a fundraiser night at Shellharbour Workers Club, June 25.
The works will be auctioned at the event, which will include raffles, entertainment, and auctions of surfboards purpose-autographed by Sally Fitzgibbons and Kelly Slater.
“[One board] has been 100 per cent donated and signed to Brett by the man himself Kelly Slater – eleven times world champion - so that’s been pretty overwhelming,” Mr Perese said.
“Brett’s been really chuffed about all of this. He’s had a bit of personal dialogue with Kelly so that’s t been pretty amazing. To see the support in the surfing community around the world that’s been mind-blowing.”
Tickets for the night start at $125 and are being sold through surfersforbretto.com. There are also $30 “spirit passes” available.
“For anyone who can’t make it on the night who still wants to be involved, you can buy a spirit ticket and be sent out some raffle tickets and a sticker pack,” Mr Perese said.
Mr Connellan underwent three operations during his first four days in hospital, including an eight-hour procedure where surgeons took muscle from his back and transplanted it to his thigh.
The transplant was aimed at covering over an estimated 15cm of exposed bone, however sources close to the family say it is possible the reattached muscle will become functional.
Clinicians intend for Mr Connellan to keep his damaged leg straight for many months until both the muscle transplant and skin graft have healed, potentially also giving the nerve time to regenerate.
