Blayney Shire residents and businesses have donated a combined total of $50,000 to the family of a local teenager who was diagnosed with a rare degenerative disorder earlier this year.
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In an extraordinary display of community generosity, locals rallied together to raise $37,500 for 17 year-old Jessie Hobby and her family at a charity auction in Blayney on Saturday night.
Another $12,500 was donated through ticket sales and private donations made by locals who attend the fundraising night.
The money raised will help the Hobby family care for Jessie as she battles the CJD disease, ensuring that she can receive all the medical care she requires.
It will also allow Jessie to remain in her parents care and the comfort of her own home.
Fundraiser organisers Lorraine Sligar and Anthea Mooney said they were astonished at the number of locals who attended the event and made donations.
"Being there and seeing people made us all proud to be a part of the community, everyone was so generous," organiser Anthea Mooney said.
She said the idea to hold the auction fundraiser came to her and Lorraine just a month ago.
"We were having a cuppa one morning and a lot of local people said they wanted do something for Jess so we got it rolling.
"Just the amount of items that were donated was amazing - heaps of businesses from around Blayney, Orange and Bathurst all donated something and local people also gave away a lot of stuff," Mrs Mooney said.
"We were hoping to raise $30,000 and never expected to raise this much."
Jessie's father and sister attended the fundraiser and were overwhelmed by the kindness shown by the 350 locals at the event and the hundreds more that helped raise $50,000 for the family.
In a letter to the Blayney Chronicle, the Hobby family said they were "eternally thankful" for the love and support shown to them by the local community.
"So often in life we take our friends and neighbours for granted, going about our daily activities from one day to the next -but as we all know, adversity does not discriminate, and at any time it can enter our lives without warning," the family said.
"This is the time we realise the beauty of community, compassion and care for each other."
Jessie is currently enjoying a three-week holiday in England, the country she's always dreamed of visiting.
The generous community support for Jessie and her family is set to continue with the Blayney Bowling Club and high school planning more fundraising events over the next few weeks.
Last month the Exchange Hotel held a fundraiser and a Carcoar Pony Club event raised over $1,900 for the family.
