Superheroes swoop in to save Blake

THE Bundaberg community rallied around Blake Rose and his family on Saturday, donating more than $1700 to his foundation.

Carl Barrow, in a Captain Lightning outfit, and Rylan Adams, dressed as Spiderman, use their powers at the Superhero fun day to raise money for Blake Rose. Photo: . Picture: Mike Knott

THE Bundaberg community rallied around Blake Rose and his family on Saturday, donating more than $1700 to his foundation.

The nine-year-old neurofibromatosis sufferer has had more than 20 operations in his short life and the number is expected to grow, leaving Blake's parents with hefty medical and travel expenses.

The Blake Rose Foundation held a karaoke and superhero day in Bundaberg's CBD where community support overwhelmed the family.

Blake's stepfather Carl Barrow said the outcome was better than he had dreamed.

“The Bundaberg community was just amazing,” he said.

“We're a proud town and it's nice to see that this sort of fundraiser can be a success.”

Mr Barrow said while only a small amount of people turned out in superhero outfits, they were truly doing super work.

“We got a lot of awareness out there about neurofibromatosis,” he said.

“We handed out about 300 pamphlets so the message is really going out there.”

Mr Barrow said underneath the costumes, he knew who his hero was.

“Blake is the real superhero,” Mr Barrow said.

“Having all those operations is not a nice thing but Blake just keeps bouncing back.

“A day or two after the operations, when most people would still be laying there, Blake is trying to get out and about.”

Mr Barrow said the root of the family's financial difficulty was planted in the disability pension list.

Neurofibromatosis is not recognised on Centrelink's payment list but Paul Neville, in true superhero fashion, hopes to change this for Blake and families just like his.

“Paul Neville said he would make our plight heard,” Mr Barrow said.

The family hopes this fundraiser will not be the last.

“We're planning a big family fun day where we can raise some awareness about neurofibromatosis, because there are others like Blake,” Mr Barrow said.

Originally published as Superheroes swoop in to save Blake