Mid North Coast surf community rallies for Kai McKenzie Camden Haven Camden Haven News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - August 15, 2024 Mid North Coast Boardriders surfer Kelly Brown at Sunday’s Surfing for Kai event. Photo: Al Brown. FOLLOWING a horrific shark attack at North Shore Beach that left Bonny Hills surfer Kai McKenzie seriously injured, the region’s surf communities have united in support of their mate. The Surfing for Kai event, held last Sunday at Rainbow Beach, Bonny Hills, saw surfers of all ages and abilities come together for a fundraiser, with all proceeds going towards rehabilitation for Kai, who lost his right leg in the incident. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au The event, which featured an expression session rather than a formal competition, saw 75 boardriders aged between nine and 75 years take to the water in ideal conditions. Dozens of businesses from the Port Macquarie-Hastings region and beyond contributed products for raffles and auctions. Among the standout items was a custom twin fin surfboard which fetched an incredible $15,000 at auction. “We didn’t set a financial target,” said Jo Astorini, one of the event’s organisers. “It was more about the community coming together to support each other and help us all come to terms with this tragic event. “The money raised was a bonus, and we’ve already surpassed $60,000.” The generosity of the local community was evident from the outset. Event-specific merchandise, including 200 ‘Surfing for Kai’ shirts and 100 surf hats, sold out by mid-morning. The crowd, which included visitors from as far away as Forster and Port Macquarie, gathered in the local surf club for raffles and auctions. Young people from the Bonny Hills community contributed by selling homemade baked goods and handmade buttons and hairpieces, donating all proceeds to Kai’s recovery fund. The outpouring of support extends beyond the event itself. A GoFundMe page set up to aid Kai’s rehabilitation has raised nearly $200,000 of its $250,000 target, with approximately 2,600 donations pouring in. Kai’s family has been overwhelmed by the response. “They are truly overwhelmed just like us; they are thankful, feeling so loved and supported by the community,” Ms Astorini told News Of The Area. Although the event was a resounding success, fundraising efforts are far from over. Additional donations are still being processed, and plans are underway for an online raffle and another auction in collaboration with the North Haven Boardriders’ upcoming ‘#kaimmunity’ event. By Luke HADFIELD Rusty Hogan from Bonny Hills. Photo: Al Brown.
