Mums rally to help Toby

An army of mums from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School have rallied behind Bunbury toddler Toby Scheffner, as his family prepares to travel to America for life-changing surgery.

The three-year-old was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy at 10-months old, which causes his leg and are muscles to continuously contract.

The surgery, which will cost the family upwards of $130,000, will free Toby from a life of pain and allow him to walk unaided after years of intense physio.

Upon hearing about Toby’s story, fellow school mum Janine Stewart was inspired to organise a fundraiser to help alleviate some of the financial burden.

“I proposed the idea to a few other school mums who got straight behind me,” she said.

“Then I proposed the idea to Claire and Kyle, who were at first taken aback because they are such humble, lovely people.

“Claire and Kyle were really determined to work and save the money themselves ... they didn’t really want people to go out of their way to raise money for them, but I managed to talk them into it.”

With a host of businesses across the South West throwing their support behind the cause, the St Mary’s Mums will present an evening of entertainment at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on Friday at 6.30pm. The cocktail themed event will include live music, auctions, raffles and dancing.

“We are so lucky to have healthy children, so why not help Toby have legs to walk?” she said.

“It is going to be a really fun night for a great cause.

“It is a great opportunity for everyone to get together for an end of year catch up and support Toby’s will to walk.”

Claire and Kyle Scheffner said they were overwhelmed by the support for their little boy.

“It just means the world to us, no amount of thank yous will ever be able to explain our gratitude for what they have done,” Mrs Scheffner said.

“We want people to be able to have satisfaction in the years to come to see how hard he has worked, and that he is actually walking without being in a wheelchair,” Mr Scheffner said.

Tickets are available at bunburyentertainment.com.