Goya Dmytryshchak
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the family of Newport dad Jim Vasiliadis who last month lost his fight with cancer.
Mr Vasiliadis, 56, was well known for his family’s involvement with Newport Power Junior Football Club and Williamstown Magic Basketball.
Newport Power coach Jason Cranage organised the GoFundMe campaign to support Mr Valiliadis’ wife Angela and children, Zoee, 15, and Luke, 12.
“I’ve coached Luke for a number of years now and as such I’ve got to know the family,” said Mr Cranage, who also manages a group called DONS (Dads of Newport and Surrounds).
“Just before Jim died, he approached me personally and just asked if I could be there to support the family when he was gone,” he said.
“Jim lived for his family, loved his Ford cars.
“He was a proud family man who wanted to do the best for them.”
Mr Cranage said the family had been overwhelmed with the community support received so far.
“In the last three days, it’s gone over the target amount ($10,000), which is absolutely fantastic, and the community’s been extremely generous,” he said.
“Angela is overwhelmed … to see the support from the community coming out like this, she was a little bit taken aback to be honest.”
Donated funds will go directly to the Vasiliadis family and will be used to financially support Zoee and Luke in coming years.
Luke and Zoee both attend Williamtown High School and previously went to Newport Gardens Primary. Luke plays with both Newport Power and Williamstown Magic.
For more details and to donate, visit the GoFundMe ‘Jim Vasiliadis – support my family fund’ at https://gofund.me/83593860
