Family of the deceased miner Phillip Grant were overwhelmed with the depth of support from the Maitland BMX and mine communities at a fund-raiser last night.
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The Metford man and devoted father was killed in a Paxton mine wall collapse, but the outpouring of support will ensure his son Shaun gets to the BMX nationals.
“It’s too overwhelming [and] I just don’t know what to say,” Shaun’s mother Lisa Sams said.
“He’s going to be missed by everyone.”
Mr Grant, 35, encouraged his seven-year-old’s participation in various sports, with BMX one that father and son could be a part of together.
Shaun has been a regular at the Maitland-Tenambit BMX club which will use all proceeds from last night’s Tuesday meet to send him to Shepparton next week.
Scores of people turned up for the meet, dubbed Gates for Shaun, with many throwing $20 and $50 notes in the bucket. And they were equally generous with words of support for the family.
“It’s just such a wonderful event,” Shaun’s grandfather James Grant said.
His grandmother Carmel Grant said there had been many ups and downs in the day’s since her son’s death.
“He was just such a caring and devoted father,” she said.
“All his time and energy went into Shaun.”
Maitland-Tenambit BMX Club secretary Ainslie Cini was unsure how much money had been raised but hoped it would cover some additional race meetings at Sawtell, Casino and Taree in the state rounds.
“It’s just fantastic,” she said. “Everyone from the BMX and mining community has dug deep.”
