THE Northern Beaches community has rallied in support of a 16-year-old recently attacked with a knife at a teenage beach party at Sawtell on Sunday 19 September, holding a car wash fundraiser to support the boy and his family.

The boy was repeatedly stabbed in a frenzied attack by a 17-year-old at the party at Murrays Beach at Sawtell and the attack was videoed by many teenagers present, with the disturbing vision circulated over social media.

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Woolgoolga Junior Seahorses Football Club held a carwash in the Woolgoolga Diggers car park on Saturday 25 September to raise funds to support the boy’s recovery.

Club President Jo Dawe was blown away by the support from the local community and said cars were already starting to line up around 9.30am on the day, one hour before the carwash was due to commence.

“It has been going non-stop,” Jo said on Saturday morning.

“The cars were lined up before we were even set up this morning.

“A lot of people are just donating and not getting their cars washed.”

Jo said $50 notes were being handed over by community members, much more than the $10 carwash donation fee.
Junior members of the Club volunteered their time on the day to wash the cars and Club committee members also lent a hand, washing cars and organising the day.

Four cars were constantly parked in the car washing bay ready to be washed and a lineup of up to six cars were waiting along the entrance to the club carpark.

Local businesses also got on board to show their support.

Subway Woolgoolga brought down sandwiches for the club volunteers, 40 litres of car wash was donated by Kohn Haulage at Emerald Beach, Supercheap Auto at Coffs Harbour donated buckets, sponges, chamois and tyre shine, Coffs Cordials & Confectionery donated chips and drinks, Rebel Sport at Coffs Harbour donated raffle prizes, Signs Express at Coffs Harbour donated a sign to entice drivers into the car wash, with further support from Office Choice at Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga Diggers and Woolgoolga Fire and Rescue.

The father of the 16-year-old stabbing victim attended the day and said he was “blown away with the community support and everything the club has done”.

“Everyone has just paused their lives and concentrated on this,” Club President Jo said proudly on the day.

A total of $5,000 was raised from the day and hundreds of cars were cleaned by club members.

The money will be given to the boy’s family to help him with his long road to recovery.

The 16-year-old is slowly recovering from his injuries and is currently in a stable condition at Coffs Harbour Base Hospital.

A 17-year-old has faced court and been charged over the alleged stabbing after being arrested at Lismore on Tuesday 21 September.

By Emma DARBIN