IN a poignant and overwhelming display of support for the Connaughton family who have lost a son and brother in a tragic motorbike accident in Bali this week, more than $40,000 has been raised to pay to bring 16-year-old Lochie Connaughton home with his family to Australia for burial.
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Lifelong friend of the Connaughton family, Billy Greatbatch, started the fundraising campaign on Thursday night through the GoFundMe website.
In the first hour an incredible $15,000 was raised and the figure grew until $40,000 was raised by 2pm yesterday afternoon.
Mr Greatbatch, who became friends with Lochie and his family when the families lived close to each other, said he was overwhelmed by the response to the fundraiser and thanked everyone who had contributed.
“We just want Cindy and George [Connaughton] to be able to bring Lochie home,” Mr Greatbatch said.
“Lochie just had this way that he always made people laugh and what has happened is just incredibly tragic and sad.
“As soon as I heard the news I went straight up to Orange High School on Wednesday and I couldn’t believe the outpouring of grief from the students and the teachers.”
On Thursday night around 100 young people, including Lochie’s close friends, gathered on Mount Lindsay to light candles and release balloons to honour the memory of the popular teenager.
Mr Greatbatch said he had spoken to the grief-stricken Connaughton family and informed them of the GoFundMe campaign.
“We want them to know we are all feeling their pain,” he said.
“I can’t believe how generous people have been.
“Several donations have been $500 but I want to thank everyone who has given what they can, it will all go to help.
“I just want Cindy and George and the family to know how much we all care back home here in Orange.”
Today in a unique coming together of Orange’s rugby community there will be a minute’s silence between the under 17s and the colts game at Waratahs with junior players to wear black armbands.
The number 13 jumper worn by Lochie will be retired for the season in a moving gesture by Orange City Rugby Club.
“The Connaughton boys came to play with Orange City this year because their club Emus weren’t able to get a team up, so the mark of respect shown by all the players will be really unique with both clubs wanting to show their support for the family,” Orange City Junior Rugby Club president Deryck Ward said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told the Central Western Daily on Thursday it was providing support for the Connaughton family but would not release any other details of the accident due to privacy issues.
