Online fundraiser raises $30,000 to help send Geraldton man home from US after health scare

An online fundraiser to send a Geraldton man home from the United States following an unexpected health scare has received overwhelming support, with nearly $30,000 raised in less than four days.

Earlier this week, a GoFundMe page was created on behalf of Lachlan and Kirstyn Gardiner, who with their two children, live in Geraldton.

According to the page, the couple married five years ago with a honeymoon in the US planned, but it was cancelled after Mr Gardiner experienced a seizure which resulted in a broken shoulder.

They rebooked the trip, but complications from COVID meant they were unable to make the journey.

Years later, Mr Gardiner was able to make it to America, seeing his younger brother graduate from college and watching a live NBA game.

Two days from when he was set to return, Mr Gardiner suffered another health scare.

“Sadly, Lach has suffered two more seizures, which have left him hospitalised in the US with both shoulders broken,” Ms Gardiner said.

“While he’s receiving incredible care and thankfully with immediate family, we’re doing all we can to bring him home safely to WA.”

According to the post, Mr Gardiner had travel insurance, but the process takes time.

The family asked for donations to cover the cost to bring him home, and the community responded emphatically.

As of Thursday, $29,296 had been donated, smashing the $16,000 goal set.

Trades Basketball Club, which Mr Gardiner plays for, was among the hundreds of donors who chipped in to help get him home.

The family has been contacted for further comment.

Anyone looking to donate can do so through their GoFundMe page.