Fundraiser for teen’s life-saving surgery

Callan Lowe and mum Michaela Pert

A high tea will be held at Wyong on May 13 to raise funds for a Central Coast youngster who faces life-saving surgery.

Callan Lowe, 16, suffers from the Chiari Malformation, a disease which causes him severe head and neck pain, pins and needles down his arms and loss of muscle strength in his upper body.

Without the surgery, Callan won’t make it to his 20th birthday.

There is also an increased risk that every day he suffers from this untreated condition, a cyst in the spinal cord called Syringomyelia could form, leading to paralysis and loss of bladder control.

Callan’s mum Michaela Pert and her three sons live week to week and have managed to save $10,000 for the procedure, but need an additional $22,000.

Callan’s family will stay with him in Sydney after the procedure for at least nine days because he will be in the High Dependency Ward, with Mum Michaela needing to take time off work to be with her son.

Callan Lowe suffers from Chiari Malformation

There is also the possibility there will need to be further surgeries, costing a similar amount, to improve Callan’s quality of life.

The high tea will raise much-needed funds for Callan’s surgery and rehabilitation.

There will be live music and an online auction with some very special items that can only be bid on by ticket holders.

There will also be a raffle with some wonderful prizes, not to mention an abundance of sweets, scones and tea.

The event will be held at the Royal Hotel, Wyong, at 2.30pm on May 13.

Tickets can be bought at Callan’s Charity High Tea Tickets, Sat 13/05/2023 at 2:30 pm | Eventbrite.

An online charity auction is also being held to help the fundraising effort.

A huge selection of donated goods include homewares, original artworks, self-care packages, once-in-a-lifetime-experiences and more.

Reserve prices have been set significantly lower than the RRP.

The auction will begin at 10am on May 10 and run until 5pm on May 13.

Any auction winners who are at the high tea event will be able to take their prizes home immediately once payment is confirmed.

All remaining items will be shipped to the winning bidders once payment is confirmed.

Join the online auction at https://airauctioneer.com/calluns-charity-auction.

Terry Collins