SURFERS will throw their support behind Burrill Lake grommet Liam Blakey when they hit the waves for the 2014 Akwa Single Fin Contest on September 14.
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Liam, 14, was flown to Randwick Children’s Hospital on April 12 after suffering a seizure.
The fit, healthy teenager had been surfing with his twin brother Joel during the day but his life was turned upside down when the seizure struck out of the blue.
According to his sister Annaye, Liam was placed on life support and it took doctors weeks to determine that he had autoimmune post-viral encephalitis, a rare neurological condition.
The active sportsman and year eight Ulladulla High School student has been in and out of hospital for months and is slowly learn to walk, talk and eat again.
“It has been without a doubt the toughest months I have ever had to endure, especially with a top neurology team not knowing what was wrong, how to make him better and what the future would hold,” Annaye said.
After Liam was taken off life support the neurology team said his progress was in his hands.
“Helping someone learn how to walk, talk and eat again was one of the most surreal experiences,” Annaye said.
“He is still fighting strong, however he is still heavily medicated and requires a lot more support to regain his independence.”
She said the single fin fundraiser, to be held at Mollymook Reef, would help Liam’s recovery and assist their parents, Stephen and Serena, who are constantly by his side.
“Although he has come back fighting strong and has now remembered a lot more than anticipated, he is still having seizures and still heavily medicated,” Annaye said.
“He has a long way to go to regain his independence and will need money for his medications, teacher’s aides, speech pathologists, doctors, and specialists to give him the future he deserves.”
Along with the surfing competition, a garage sale will also be held in the reef beach reserve and a series of raffles are being organised, with a surfing holiday one of the prizes up for grabs.
Annaye said she was doing her bit to help her little brother by also taking part in the Blackmore Sydney half marathon for Ronald McDonald House on September 21.
Half of the funds raised during the surf competition will go to Ronald McDonald House which, Annaye said, allowed her family to remain with Liam during his hospitalisation.
To make a financial donation to Liam go to gofundme.com and search for Liam Blakey, or to donate goods for the single fin competition or raffle, email annaye1993@outlook.com
Surfers can register for the competition at Akwa surf in Milton.