Rotary Club of Townsville and Cowboys Leagues Club donate funds to help Skyla Christie, who lives with cerebral palsy

Donating $5000 to a Townsville family in need, the Cowboys Leagues Club has followed the lead of the Rotary Club who have donated $15,000 to help a Cowboys fan who lives with cerebral palsy.

Kelly Christie with her twin girls Sonja Christie, 12, and Skyla Christie, 12, and her partner Luke Cahill. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Cowboys die-hard Skyla Christie is on the way to a new set of wheels after the Rotary Club and Cowboys Leagues Club pitched into a fundraising effort.

Donating $5000 to a Townsville family in need, the Cowboys Leagues Club has followed the lead of the Rotary Club who have pledged $15,000 to help a Cowboys fan who lives with cerebral palsy.

The ‘Drive for Skyla’ initiative hopes to raise $50,000 for 12-year-old Skyla Christie who lives with cerebral palsy and needs a specially-modified vehicle to allow her parents to take her, along with her twin sister Sonja, to school, medical appointments sporting events and Cowboys games.

Moving from Mt Isa to Townsville 12 years ago to ensure better medical services and support for their daughter, Skyla’s mum and her partner Luke both have disabilities that make it harder for them to lift heavy loads. The wish for a modified car to transport Skyla and her 160kg wheelchair was heard by the Rotary Club and the Cowboys Leagues Club who wanted to help.

Kelly Christie with her twin girls Sonja Christie, 12, and Skyla Christie, 12, pictured with Helen Smyth, business development manager Cowboys Leagues Club and Guy Raffe, Rotary Club of Townsville president. Picture: Shae Beplate.

General Manager of the Cowboys Leagues Club Clint Williams said the club was very proud to be part of the initiative.

“From charities and not-for-profit organisations to suppliers, local businesses and

employees and worthy individuals like Skyla, the Club has a very strong commitment to the

North Queensland community and beyond. Ultimately, we are a 100% community owned

Club and at the end of the day, everything we do is to give back to the community that

support us,” he said.

The $50,000 needed would allow for the family to purchase a suitable vehicle and then the NDIS would fund the conversion to acccomodate Skyla’s wheelchair.

Rotary Club of Townsville director Liam Hirst said they were moved the family’s story.

“Skyla’s family have limited capacity to deal with the everyday needs of their little girl so we decided to do something about it.

“They have been relying on taxis to get them to their appointments; this has been costly and not always convenient,” said Mr Hirst.

To make a donation visit the Rotary Club of Townsville website.

Originally published as Rotary Club of Townsville and Cowboys Leagues Club donate funds to help Skyla Christie, who lives with cerebral palsy