By CASEY NEILL
DAVE Jacka doesn’t see why being a quadriplegic should stop him from flying a plane.
Solo. Around Australia.
He’ll share his story at Wallara’s Dinner Under the Stars fund-raising event on 13 March, to support the Wallara Wish Foundation.
Wallara CEO Phil Hayes-Brown said the cash would fund one-off grants to Wallara service users for special equipment or experiences to improve their quality of life.
“Everything raised goes out to service users,” he said.
Last year’s event raised more than $35,000.
“We’re hoping to meet that number again and maybe even beat it,” Mr Hayes-Brown said.
Dave broke his fifth vertebrae in a motorbike accident four days before his 19th birthday.
He has limited arm function, no finger function, can’t move any body part below his armpits and can’t regulate his body temperature.
Despite this, he was in Australia’s Wheelchair Rugby Squad at the 1996 Paralympic Games and in 2006 became the first person with quadriplegia to fly a powered hang glider solo.
“We’re delighted to have someone like Dave share their story,” Mr Hayes-Brown said.
“We’re all about what you can do, not what you can’t do.”
Guests will receive a personal tour of Wallara’s Potter Street headquarters, cocktails and canapés in the palm tree courtyard, and a gourmet meal at The Castle.
“The Castle is the first place where Wallara started delivering services in 1959,” Mr Hayes-Brown said.
Michael Buble-style crooner James Farrands will sing, and share how his uncle’s disability has shaped his perspective on the world.
The Wallara Sing and Sign Choir, which includes Wallara service users, staff, family members and residents from aged care facility Eunice Seddon, will also perform.
Wallara ambassadors will host every table.
“They love being involved and they can’t wait,” Mr Hayes-Brown said.
Guests can also purchase money can’t buy experiences, like a tour of Dave’s modified plane.
Tickets are $300 per person. Table discounts also apply. Call Julie Cosgriff on 9792 2985 for tickets or more information.
