RIDING A WAVE OF SUPPORT
Mates help teenager deal with tragedy
Community and friends throw arms around Woree student Tyler after alleged murder of his mum
TYLER Ratcliffe is getting by with a little help from his friends.
The devastated 16-year-old and younger sister Ruby, 13, are still struggling to come to terms with the death of their mother Crystal, allegedly at the hands of their father Ricky Cowan.
But Tyler said support had come in the form of his closest mates and family, who had thrown arms around the siblings in their darkest times.
“It’s been pretty full on,” the Woree State High School stu- dent said. “We’ve had heaps of family travel up to support us. My mates have been great.”
He and Ruby have moved in with his closest mate Chanze Anderson and his family since the tragic October 12 incident.
Tyler said two days afterwards, about 50 schoolmates turned up at the house to show they cared, while Trinity Bay State High School students held a free dress day yesterday to raise money for the siblings.
He said he was still determined to finish Year 11 with good marks. He planned to start a trade after he graduated.
“(My school) has been good to me with organising stuff and they have let me leave early if I need to,” he said.
Adding to the heartache, he returned to the family’s Woree home this week to find his bicycle stolen. “I left it behind,” he said. But, in a show of generosity, Discovery Cycles owner Larry Lanza yesterday gave him one for free to allow him to ride to his part-time job.
Mr Lanza said he felt awful when he heard the family’s story and wanted to help.
“We understand he’s going through a terrible situation and having your bike stolen on top of that,” he said.
“We’re always happy to help the community, but anything we can do to help young Tyler we’re happy to do it.”
Community donations were also continuing to come in, with more than $10,000 raised through a crowd-funding website.
Tyler’s former rugby league coach Jim Millar was spearheading the fundraising efforts with plans for a sportsman’s lunch, hopefully featuring high-profile NRL players and coaches, already locked in for February next year.
“These two kids are going to have an ongoing need (for financial support) for their schooling,” he said.
Mr Millar said the bike donation was heartening.
“For a stranger from a bike shop, who doesn’t know Tyler, to put his hand in his pocket, it helps him with the healing process to know not just his family and friends, but the wider community is behind him.” To donate to the siblings, visit mycause.com.au/page/139425/tyler-and-ruby-ratcliffe-supportfund