Tom's Diabetes Fundaiser

25/05/2023

Thank you so very much Cafe 55 for selling lots of lotto scratchie raffles on behalf of Tom's Diabetes fundraiser.
Thankk you also to our wonderful Clutha Mayor Brian Cadogan, who has twice won a scratchie board and twice donated it back for new raffle. Thank you so very much Mr Cadogan for supporting Tom.

20/04/2023

Hi everyone
You may have seen our scratchie raffles around Balclutha the past week. All funds raised go directly to Tom's medical treatments. Go on grab a number - you never know your luck. Thank you FACE | Body & Beauty, Ladybird Junction and Cafe 55 for supporting Tom's scratchie raffle fundraiser,

18/04/2023

Hello all

It's been a busy week in the Bensley house.

We are happy to report that last Wednesday Tom was fitted with an insulin pump. Tom was very exited about getting the pump fitted but was a little nervous when it was time for the procedure. Luckily there was a teenage boy there having a pump fitted too; he went first and showed Tom that it really wasn’t a big deal. That helped Tom a lot.

Kelly spent a couple of days in training, learning about the pumps and how to use them, and reported it wasn’t as intimidating as she thought it might be.

All is going well so far. We will update Tom’s progress once he is used to the pump.

Thanks for the support guys.

25/03/2023

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to Tom's fundraiser. Kelly and James are so appreciative and are blown away but the love and support they are receiving.

Keep an eye out for scratchie raffle boards around town next week and a quiz night in the near future... details to come.

Please like and share this page, all small contributions to the cause are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

25/03/2023

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/tom-bensley-needs-your-help

Fundraising for Tom's type 1 diabetes costs.

25/03/2023

James, Kelly, Grace, Tom and Ellie Bensley are well-known and respected South Otago locals, who love their community and love helping others.

At the moment, it’s the Bensley Family who need help. Eight months ago Tom was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes involves finger pricking day and night, carb counting of food and insulin injections. Uncontrolled type 1 diabetes can lead to life threatening complications.

Tom’s doctor has advised he is able to start using an insulin pump. This means no more insulin injections for Tom and he will be able to do what other kids take for granted like sleepovers. This is good for Kelly and James too as it will eliminate the mental stress of calculating insulin, checking him throughout the night and constant worry. Pharmac currently funds insulin pumps but not the associated equipment needed to operate the pump, most importantly the continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) that need replacing every 7 days.

James has recently graduated from Police College and is a new graduate Police officer. Kelly is on maternity leave from her teaching position at South Otago High School. The Bensleys have been on a single income for a long time now and are unsure how to pay the ongoing costs of Tom’s treatment for the foreseeable future. We are hoping to raise funds to cover all the ongoing costs of Tom using the insulin pump for two to three years (until hopefully Pharmac starts funding all associated costs).