Community raises thousands for Ballarat family of critically ill boy after heartless theft

Cruel thieves have stolen sentimental jewellery and a handbag from a Ballarat mum of a critically ill boy.

A GoFundMe has been started for the Dwyer family from Ballarat, whose little boy Jack is desperately ill. Picture: GoFundMe.

Heartless thieves have stolen a handbag from the mum of a critically ill boy, unknowingly also taking sentimental jewellery.

“Kind and selfless” Ballarat nurse Taryn Dwyer lost her wedding ring, engagement ring and other sentimental jewellery when thieves took her handbag recently.

Now, friend Katie Boyd is calling on the community to show Taryn, husband David and daughter Hannah — originally from Geelong — “there is kindness out there” as they deal with regular hospital trips for their son.

Baby Jack Dwyer was born with a condition called VACTERL association — a congenital disorder affecting his spine, bowel, heart and kidneys.

He spent the first three months of his life in neonatal intensive care unit, and regularly has to stay at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

“He has a large hole in his heart and went into moderate heart failure at just seven days old,” Ms Boyd said in the GoFundMe.

“Doctors are unable to fix his heart due to the life threatening risk this currently would pose to him, and Jack’s cardiologist team have only seen a condition similar to Jack’s once before.”

Baby Jack has had five surgeries already, including open heart surgery at just two weeks old.

“With already many financial challenges and unimaginable uncertainty, the recent theft has completely shattered Taryn and David,” Ms Boyd said.

“Their situation is heartbreaking and their stolen items are irreplaceable.”

More than $4230 has been raised for the family in less than a month.

To donate, click here.