Charity trustees look to future for Caleb

THANKS: Joanne Smith, with her son, assault victim Caleb Skinner, thanks the public for their support in his fundraising appeals.PHOTOS/LYNDA FERINGA

Three trustees and a lawyer have come together to administer funds gathered from the Caleb Skinner Appeal, initially put together by Elaine Leggott of Wairarapa Care and Stephen Kimberley of St Matthew's Parish Church.

Caleb Skinner, 2, was assaulted in March, he sustained severe head injuries and was in Auckland's Starship Hospital for about a month.

Mrs Leggott collected donations from the public and also held an auction, selling off items that local businesses had donated.

Now Mrs Leggott, Mr Kimberley and Denise Arcus from St Matthew's Church will administer the $14000 collected for Caleb through the appropriate organisations, for ongoing medical or related care.

Mrs Leggott said the trustees will receive applications from Caleb Skinner's mother Joanne Smith and other health organisations and then decide if the application will benefit Caleb's ongoing care.

She said she was aware that ACC would cover many of the ongoing medical costs but that the money was there to help improve Caleb's life after the assault.

"It's for Caleb's health and recovery - it's not for the other children or the parents.

"If they are just short of food for the week we will have to say no."

Since Caleb may have learning difficulties in the future, Mrs Leggott suggested some of the money might go towards education needs, the bus to school, riding for the disabled, social work help or ongoing medical assistance.

She said the trustees were prepared to hold the money until such time as an appropriate cause for Caleb comes up.

"We don't really know what he might need; anything could come up."

Mrs Leggott thanked the public for their donations to the Caleb Skinner Appeal and everyone who was involved in the auction.

Meanwhile, Masterton Advocacy Service co-ordinator Trevor MacKiewicz raised about $400 for Caleb Skinner's family through donations after the assault.

Mr MacKiewicz said the money raised was used for an emergency flight for Daryll Skinner after he and Ms Smith had a falling out at the rehabilitation centre in Auckland.

"We couldn't just leave him stranded in Auckland," Mr MacKiewicz said.

Mr MacKiewicz said he then had to drive down to Wellington to transport Mr Skinner back to Masterton which used up the remaining funds.

He said he thought the DHB should have paid for the flight - they wouldn't, so Mr MacKiewicz said he was left with no choice but to pay for it.