Parents Elaine and George Symko and his brother, Wayne and wife Maree Green rallied in the wake of the tragedy to act to care for David as they fought for compensation to provide for his care in the challenging years ahead. Their family journey over almost 30 years has seen them move David from Taree to Kingscliff, Glen Innes and in recent years they returned to the region to call Bulahdelah home. David is now 52 years old and lives in Great Lakes Nursing Home and sadly, his health now prevents him from leaving the facility.

It is another milestone in David’s life and one the family chose to mark with a random act of kindness. Last week they gifted the family’s wheelchair accessible 1998 Ford Falcon to About Inclusion in Taree.

Graham Brown OAM of GPB Partners in Taree is a trustee who assists the family with David’s care and says the family is happy to help the organisation that assists people with a disability to be involved in the Manning Valley community.

“It is an older car and when we were discussing what should be done with it the idea of donating it was raised. David’s mum said, ‘if someone bought the car then only one person would get a benefit out of it but this way lots of people will benefit’ – so the decision was made to donate the car to About Inclusion.

“The family filled the tank, had the car serviced and I’m sure it will make a huge difference to About Inclusion.”

About Inclusion general manager Donna Ballard says she is “over the moon!”

“You don’t expect this type of thing to happen, it is wonderful! We are always juggling vehicles and often our staff will have to use their own vehicles which is not ideal or we have to pay for a taxi.

“”It is wonderful that we can fit a few people in the car with the person in the wheelchair so they are not transported alone, which is not nice. This car allows another three people in the back, plus the driver and another front passenger. It will make such a difference in so many ways and we are so thankful.”