GENEROUS support from the community is turning local junior soccer player Lockie Lenehan's dream opportunity to represent Australia into a reality.
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The Wauchope High School student was selected last year to be part of an 18-day tour of Brazil with the national Futsal team.
Lockie earned his place in the team with some stand-out performances at an all-states competition in Townsville.
The team sets off for Brazil on August 2 for a series of matches against home sides in the same 15 to 16 age group.
But before Lockie or any of the other players selected for the team could board the plane for Brazil they each had to come up with $8000 to pay for the trip.
And that's where the community's generosity has come onto the scene, with a trivia night held on March 16 raising $5500 for the trip.
The event, originally scheduled for February 23 and postponed because of the flood, was a great night with lots of fun and laughs, Lockie's mother Michelle said.
"Thanks to everyone who attended. A special thank-you goes to loca business people Rhonda and Gaven Grayston Lockie's grandparents, and Keith and Bronwyn Dykes, Phil and Kylie Dykes and the team at Riverview Service Centre, Rhiannon and Darren Chapman at the Kendall Bottle shop and Jodie and Shane Kelly. Thank you for all your efforts in holding raffles in your store your support has been tremendous."
A $1000 fuel raffle was run at the Riverview Service Centre at North Haven.
"A big thank you to Lockies dad, Graham Lenehan and Cherie for donating the $1000 for the fuel raffle," Michelle said.
The fuel raffle and lemon myrtle raffle was run also at Laurieton's Peg's Place craft shop and Kendall Bottle shop and this has further boost the kitty for the trip, while the Wauchope Lions are also planning to help.
The Wauchope RSL Fishing Club, which keen angler Lockie belongs to, was the non-profit group that held the trivia night for him.
Now that the hefty fund-raising goal is within sight Lockie can concentrate on goals of the Futsal kind as he prepares for the trip.
His passport has been organised and he is having a series of vaccinations needed for the South American destination - yellow fever is the latest.
Lockie says he is really looking forward to the experience - plus he gets three weeks off school.
"The community's support for the trip has been fantastic," Michelle said, "it's quite overwhelming."
