HOLE-HEARTED SUPPORT

A CAR crash changed Newcomb woman Maria Calafiore’s life forever in January, 1991.

Ms Calafiore was the only survivor, with three people, including her fiance, dying in the accident.

“I was going to marry my partner and start life with him, but he passed away in the accident,” she said.

“I went to The Alfred, then from there I was sent to Olympia (Private Rehabilitation Hospital, Thornbury) which is where they taught me to walk again.”

The accident left Ms Calafiore, pictured, with an acquired brain injury.

“My memory is shot, I’m in pain,” she said. “It’s very difficult for me to remember names and things like that.”

She attends the ABI Clubhouse at Geelong’s Eastern Hub — a support group that creates social connections and provides participants support as they rebuild their routines.

The annual genU Hundred Hole Hike, supported by the Transport Accident Commission, raises money for the ABI Clubhouse, with golfers set to challenge themselves again by playing 100 holes of golf at Torquay’s The Sands on January 14.

ARC Support Services’ Jacqui Pierce said the hike had become a highlight event that raised significant funds for initiatives such as the ABI Clubhouse and genU’s Carers Choir.

“We’ve been running this event since January 2013, and over the last six years we’ve raised tens of thousands of dollars and all of that money goes to supporting people living with a brain injury and their families in the Geelong region,” Ms Pierce said.

“We don’t currently attract any other source of funding, so the HHH is such an important event.”

Chief executive of genU Mike McKinstry said organisers were keen to attract up to 30 golfers to take part.

“It’s always a big effort for the golfers, it’s a real challenge to complete 100 holes,” Mr McKinstry said. “But the money raised is so important for people with an ABI who the Clubhouse supports, so we’re hoping for a great turnout.”

Registration information is at trybooking.com/XVKO