THE Scone community is set to rally together for one of its favourite sons this weekend.
A fundraiser at the Golden Fleece Hotel will assist Jamie 'Dodge' Manning as he prepares to ride nearly 600 kilometres for the Limbs 4 Life foundation.
The former professional bull rider suffered serious injuries while driving home to his property outside Dubbo in March 2014.
Mr Manning's car left the road and hit a tree, starting a fire that burnt the left side of his body. He sustained a broken and dislocated hip, eight broken ribs, four broken vertebrae, bleeding on the brain and full thickness burns to 40 per cent of his body.
After spending seven weeks in an induced coma and surviving numerous operations, Mr Manning eventually lost his left leg and the fingers on his left hand.
Now, more than two years on, Mr Manning will ride from Tilpa to Dubbo for the foundation with his wife Karen and children, as well as a support crew.
Golden Fleece Hotel’s Melanie Bright said the local fundraiser aimed to ease the financial burden ahead of Mr Manning’s adventure.
“For what he has gone through to what he’s now overcome; I saw a person who has gone through hell and back and is now helping out others,” she said.
“So we just want to raise money to help him on his journey to assist others.”
The action-packed event will include a three-person buck off team challenge from 3pm, a jumping castle, barbecue, and live entertainment.
But that’s not all. One of the highlights, a celebrity buck off, is expected to start at 4.30pm.
Participants are Upper Hunter Shire mayor Wayne Bedggood, deputy mayor Maurice Collison, councillor Lee Watts, local sportsman Vinnie Coombs, Scone Thoroughbreds’ representatives Jamie Munn, Darryl Rando and Kyle Warren, Aberdeen Tigers’ Dave Murnane, Arrowfield Stud’s David Morrisey, TransCare CEO Alan Gordon and Greater Northern division president Jane Walmsley.
There will also be a raffle and auction, with items including a one hour joy flight for three people or more, a Fridge and the Frying Pan $100 voucher, a garden blower from Scone Outdoors, a double swag, and a limited edition Norm Provan/Arthur Summons signed football.
Ms Bright said the community’s response had been amazing so far.
“Thank you to every business that has helped out with donations and auction items,” she said.
The fundraiser will start at 2pm on Saturday.
