GoFundMe page for Lara family of boy who died in house fire

The sporting club of a “brilliant young kid” killed in a devastating house fire has told of its “shock and disbelief” at the tragic loss just days before Christmas.

More than $13,000 has so far been raised for the family of Elihjohn (middle).

The sporting club of a “brilliant young kid” killed in a devastating house fire had told of their “shock and disbelief” after the death of the much loved boy just days before Christmas.

Lara Sporting Club welfare manager, Jason Van Doren, has spoken of the utter despair at losing Elihjohn O’Donnell, 11, in a horrific house fire at Lara on Monday.

The talented junior footballer was being described as “generous and confident” with obvious leadership potential.

Lara junior footballer and cricketer Elihjohn O'Donnell is being remembered as a "generous and confident" boy. Photo: Facebook.

Mr Van Doren said his young teammates had been left “confused” and “heartbroken” by the tragedy.

“There is disbelief, shock and being a young kid himself, he is going to have young friends and those kids won’t fully understand what it means to them for quite sometime,” he said.

“They will be quite confused, a whole range of emotions will go through that playing group and all playing groups, as well.”

The Lara Sporting Club has a large junior and senior mens and women's football, netball and cricket program.

Elihjohn played both football and cricket in the under 12s and 13s.

Mr Van Doren said the growing township, near Geelong, connected with each other through sport

“Lara is growing but it is still a small community, and it is going to be pretty heartfelt for a long time,” he said.

Elihjohn was a much loved member of the Lara Sporting Club. Picture: Mark Wilson

“He was a good kid, it’s hard for me to speak about it.

“There is a flow on effect and quite a few kids that are going to be affected by this for quite a while.

“He will never be forgotten.”

A spokesman from the Lara Sporting Club said they had been left “shocked and deeply saddened” by the death of the “popular and loved member.”

His 10-year-old brother, Braxton, was the only survivor of the blaze.

“He is remembered as a generous and confident boy who was a great listener, teammate and on-field leader, and a pleasure to coach,” the statement read.

“He will be greatly missed.”

It comes as others remembered him as a “kind boy” who was loved by his family and friends.

He died alongside family friend Peter Cochrane when a fire tore through a Forest Rd North home in the early hours of Monday.

The boy’s father, John O’Donnell, said: “My heart is broken, my beautiful boy. My heart will never be together.”

Mr Cochrane, 74, was remembered by neighbours as “really friendly”.

Police said Elihjohn’s 10-year-old brother, Braxton, was “extremely lucky” to escape the intense fire.

A community member visited the house to lay flowers in tribute. Picture: David Smith

Elihjohn had just finished grade five at St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and principal Natalie Heard said he had been elected as a school leader.

“Elihjohn was a lovely and kind boy who was much-loved by his peers and teachers,” Ms Heard said.

“He had just completed year 5, and only last week had been elected as a house captain for 2023.

“Our hearts go out to Braxton (10), his sisters, and his mother Kristie, who have lost a brother and a son, along with a family friend, in this tragic event.”

Friends of the boy’s family have established a community fundraising page.

As of Tuesday morning, more than $13,000 has been raised by the community for a GoFundMe page, ‘Helping Kristie and her family’.

The fundraiser was launched by Yasmin Romania with the aim of assisting mother Kristie and her family with funeral expenses and bills.

“I organised the fundraiser in hopes to relive some of the financial pressure on Kristie and her now only son after the tragic event,” Ms Romania said.

“In events like these it is one thing to have lost someone you love but also the financial burden of funding a funeral, and all other bills.

“Kristie is a single mum and as much as she may not want the donations, it hasn’t fully set in her mind that the cost of this may be way out of her pay check.”

Ms Romania said the situation had affected the community “drastically”.

“Lara is a very small town where every second person you bump into at the shops is someone you know,” she said.

“We care so much about each other and it’s great to see in a community like Lara.”

Ms Romania said Elihjohn was a “cricket legend” at Lara Cricket Club, and played football at Lara Football Club.

John O'Donnell with his son Elihjohn

She said Mr Cochrane was a “much loved person” who was always there when you needed a chat.

“Losing two wonderful people from our community hits harder than anything because we are all a family,” she said.

Following the outpouring of generosity from the community, Ms Romania said the grieving mother was grateful for the support.

“Kristie is so grateful for all the donations, she thanks you all,” she said.

“I’ve linked her … to receive all the profits so she can put it towards the funeral and any bills.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Guthrie said the one-storey house fire was a “tragic accident”.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Guthrie said it was the worst blaze many firefighter had seen in the Lara region in a while. Picture: Brad Fleet

“(The) mother is devastated and probably can’t really describe how she’s feeling at the moment,” he said.

“She’s caring for her son at this stage who is also traumatised.”

It is believed the trio was asleep when the fire broke out at the back of the house.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious by authorities, with an electrical being excluded as a potential cause.

Authorities will prepare a report for the coroner.

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/helping-kristie-and-her-family

Originally published as GoFundMe page for Lara family of boy who died in house fire