Community
10 December, 2025
Toddler needs special van
A SPIRITED community fundraising effort has been launched to help secure a wheelchair-accessible van for Cairns toddler Tobias and his family of six.
Tropical Heart Support Coordination, in partnership with the FNQ Youth Assistance Fund, hosted the community launch on Wednesday 3 December.
More than $22,000 has already been raised through early community contributions as the campaign works toward its $50,000 goal.
Tropical Heart support coordination co-director Megan Palmer said the organisation had been supporting Tobias since February, helping the family navigate their NDIS supports after he was discharged from the hospital.
Tobias, almost two, survived meningococcal disease earlier this year but lost all four limbs. His first wheelchair is due to arrive soon.
Still, the family does not yet have a suitable vehicle to transport him to multiple weekly therapy sessions or for regular trips to Townsville for treatment.
“At the moment, without having a vehicle, it’s just hard to provide the right support for him and the family,” Ms Palmer said.
FNQ Youth Assistance Fund vice-president Richard Ireland said Rotary had referred the case after receiving a request from Townsville Hospital.
“This family really need assistance with achieving a vehicle,” he said.
Wholesale Paint Group and Kenfrost were among the earliest donors. Wholesale Paint Group marketing manager James Comino said their support reflected Cairns’ strong community culture.
Tobias’s mother Katie (surname withheld) said the family had been overwhelmed. “We’re honestly amazed,” she said. “To just have the support that we have, of $22,000 within a week, is more than we ever expected.” She said the vehicle would be “our lifeline”, helping keep the family together.
