Kerri-Anne Kennerley sells exclusive interview to provide care to injured husband John

KERRI-ANNE Kennerley has started building a war chest to help provide for ongoing 24/7 care of her seriously ill husband John, who remains on a ventilator.

KERRI-ANNE Kennerley has started building a war chest to help provide for ongoing 24/7 care of her seriously ill husband John, who remains on a ventilator after fracturing his neck in a fall at a golf club four weeks ago.

The veteran television personality has signed an exclusive interview contract with the Seven Network’s Sunday Night worth in the region of $350,000 sources close to Kennerley confirmed on Tuesday.

Kerri-Anne and John Kennerley embrace in happier times.

Kennerley’s manager Sean Anderson refused to comment on the agreed figure but is believed to have brokered the deal following a fierce bidding battle between the Seven and Nine Networks.

One month on from the accident, John Kennerley, 75, remains in intensive care at Royal North Shore Hospital unable to breath or eat without assistance.

Though fully conscious and able to be sat up, the fractures to John’s C2 and C3 vertebrae mean he is unable to move his upper limbs, leaving the pair to communicate with an alphabet board or through a series of blinks.

John is still in a serious condition and needs a ventilator to breath.

The former daytime television star and her devoted husband now face an uncertain future after surgery to remove him from a ventilator to improve his quality of life was unsuccessful.

The retired businessman has been in hospital since being airlifted from the Bonville Golf Resort at Coffs Harbour after falling while taking a photograph on March 6.

“It happened just outside the restaurant, he fell in a very awkward manner on to the lawn,” said Brad Daymond, the general manager of the Bonville Golf Resort of the tumble. “It was extremely unlucky,”

The lawn outside the restaurant at Bonville Golf Resort, Coffs Harbour where John Kennerley fell and injured himself while taking a photograph.

Friends confirm Kennerley, 62, has been spending eight hours a day at her husband’s bedside learning to communicate with and care for her spouse of 31 years who may be months from a hospital discharge.

“He can’t go home yet and is a long way from being released,” said a friend yesterday. “At this stage it seems doubtful he will have his quality of life back restored to him.”

The ongoing cost of medical care and maintenance for her husband is said to have been a deciding factor in prompting Kennerley to accept payment for her story.

Bonville Golf Club in Coffs Harbour where John Kennerley fell onto the grass outside the restaurant. Picture: Nathan Edwards