‘Absolutely overwhelming’: hospitalised Bicheno local shocked by community support

Bicheno local Wayne Hearps is bedridden for the next five weeks after a nasty fall left him with severe injuries. Now, the Tasmanian East Coast community is rallying behind him.

Bicheno man Wayne Hearps, 58, is down on his luck after a nasty beach fall and damage to his home during recent severe weather. Picture: Facebook

The handyman who normally fixes things in the towns of Bicheno and Swansea is now the one in need of fixing, with the community rallying around Wayne Hearps after he was seriously injured in a accident.

Mr Hearps, of Bicheno, suffered multiple broken bones, including 10 ribs and a collarbone, in a beachside fall late last month.

He is known around the East Coast for his work as an SES volunteer and a skilled tradesman, who has assisted many families and businesses.

After completing one of his trade jobs, including the fit-out of a local bar and restaurant, Mr Hearps went for a walk along a Bicheno beach with his dog - and it was here he suffered a serious fall on the rocks.

Wayne being transported to hospital. Picture: supplied.

Wayne Hearps has been a volunteer with the Glamorgan Spring Bay SES unit for the past 25 years. Picture: Facebook.

Mr Hearps was taken to Launceston General Hospital before being airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital, where they operated on him for 18 broken bones, including 10 ribs, a broken hip and collarbone, plus fluid and a puncture in his lungs.

Northern Midlands councillor and real estate investment firm owner Andrew McCullagh knows Mr Hearps through work, where he’s refurbished many of the businesses he owns, and was devastated to hear of his accident and condition.

“I heard that he had taken a tumble, but once I heard about the damage, it was horrendous,” Mr McCullagh said.

“He’s well-known in both Bicheno and Swansea and is well liked due to the incredible work and help he provides everyone.”

The bad luck doesn’t end there for Mr Hearps, who had SES called to his Bicheno home after severe winds lashed the state last week and ripped part of the corrugated iron off of his home just days after being admitted to hospital.

Wayne Hearps has undergone surgery at the Royal Hobart Hospital and will be airlifted to the Launceston General, closer to his family. Picture: supplied

“The chances of Wayne returning to work, they are unknown at this stage,” Mr McCullagh said.

“He’s one of those nice blokes who just lives week by week, day by day, and I’m not sure what the final result will be, so I thought if he gets 50k in his pocket, that’s going to buy his rent for a couple of years and pay for medical bills until he sorts himself out.”

Mr McCullagh set up a GoFundMe page this week, already raising $4331 out of a $50,000 goal.

Mr McCullagh said he plans to run fundraisers through his businesses and get the community behind Mr Hearps in his recovery.

Wayne Hearps, pictured far right, has been a volunteer with the Glamorgan Spring Bay SES unit for the past 25 years. Picture: Facebook.

Speaking from a hospital bed in the RHH, Mr Hearps said the support and messages from the community had been “absolutely overwhelming”.

“A good third of the people donating and leaving messages are people I don’t know,” he said.

“I didn’t realise I had meant so much to people or that people cared enough to donate.”

Mr Hearps said he will be largely bedridden for five weeks as the surgery on his hip heals, with doctors at RHH moving him to LGH to be closer to family in the north of the state.

In a coincidence, Mr Hearps’ father had a bad fall over 25 years ago where he was found and assisted by SES services, something that prompted Mr Hearps to join the Glamorgan Spring Bay Unit.

“I’m used to helping people in times of need, but it’s nice to see so many really compassionate people care about an old guy like me,” he said.

To donate to support Mr Hearps, head to the GoFundMe website.

Originally published as ‘Absolutely overwhelming’: hospitalised Bicheno local shocked by community support