The Camden Haven Charity Fund event on October 28 hoped to raise thousands for the Wish for Willow campaign – a fundraiser to help little Willow Powick undergo surgery to help her hear.

Willow was born with profound hearing loss but now has an opportunity to hear through her own two ears for the first time in her life, with no help from hearing devices. 

An opportunity her parents, Skye and Geoff Powick of Lake Cathie, never thought would be possible.

But the fight isn’t over. The specialist surgery in the United States will cost a whopping $110,000 with flights and six weeks of accommodation abroad added to the family’s costs.

The touch football fundraiser for Willow was spearheaded by a committee including Vivian and Brice Hayward and Michael and Kylie Whiting.

The committee, over the years, has supported and raised thousands of dollars at numerous local fundraisers to assist local  families who need a helping hand.

“Willow is a vibrant, sassy, adorable four year old girl who has a rare hearing condition called atresia, which means she was born with no ear canals in both ears,” Skye said.

“It’s something nature had forgotten to give her.”

Dr Joseph Roberson, who is an internationally renowned specialist in Otolaryngology (ENT) from California Ear Institute, was recently in Australia for a Microtia & Atresia Conference and the family had an opportunity to meet with him.

“We were able to meet with Dr Roberson and discuss Willow’s condition. Dr Roberson reviewed a CT scan Willow had and with confidence assured us he could repair her atresia and get her hearing to a level that most people hear at normally.”

The operation to have Willow’s atresia repaired needs to be completed in two separate surgical procedures six months apart. The complex surgery consists of a canal being drilled out with a high speed precision diamond head drill and lined with a skin graft taken from Willow’s skull.

The surgery has been scheduled for next year.

“The community support we have received so far has just been overwhelming,” Skye said.

“We have the chance to change what we thought was our story, raising a deaf child. We have been given a miracle.

“Asking for help is out of our comfort zone and something we have never had to do. For something that can make such a difference to our daughter’s life, as parents we will move heaven and earth to make this life changing miracle happen. 

“The child you help today could be the adult that changes the world. We want to truly thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for their kind generosity.”

The next fundraising event will be held at the Laurieton United Serviceman’s Club on November 17. Tickets are $50 with an auction and three-course meal included.