Shane Warne quietly helped battling kids through special foundation

This is how the life of one little Melbourne boy with cerebral palsy was changed by Shane Warne, who now wants to do his hero proud.

The Shane Warne Foundation funded ’life changing’ treatement for Austin Reid. Picture: Clinton Plowman

A boy born with cerebral palsy has revealed how Shane Warne changed his live forever.

Austin Reid this week cried as he visited the statue to the late legend at the MCG and told the Sunday Herald Sun, “Shane was and still is my hero.’’

Austin, 12, was born with cerebral palsy, a motor disability that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture.

He first met Warne back in 2013 when the Shane Warne Foundation funded “life changing” medical equipment for him and a trip to Los Angeles when he was just four for intense therapy.

This week, Austin, who is in mainstream school and plays wheelchair basketball, said Warne, “was so kind to people”.

“I just want to make him proud,” he said.

Austin was born with cerebral palsy. Picture: Clinton Plowman @flashstudio

Austin paying tribute to Warne outside the MCG. Picture: Mark Stewart

“He did a lot for me and for others.

“He was a cricket legend.”

Austin’s dad Jason Reid said the Foundation was a “special place” to hundreds of Australian families.

“You felt welcomed, included, important … you were family,” he said.

“Shane gave up so much of himself to others and those around him, yet seeking little to nothing in return.

“(He) wanted to share his success with everyone, especially those that deserved a little break in life.”

Austin receiving specialised paediatric therapy in Los Angeles.

Austin says Warne ‘was so kind to people’.

During the family’s journey with the Foundation, they said they were exposed to a different side of Warne away from the cameras.

“Shane listened. He cared and got to know your story. He made you feel ten feet taller in his presence,” Mr Reid said.

“He took a genuine interest. He had an arms wide open approach and never judged anyone.”

Mr Reid said his family feel “blessed beyond belief” to be a part of Warne’s journey.

“For Austin and our family to be part of his journey – even just a small part – we are truly grateful,” he said.

Prior to Austin becoming a part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Mum Kimberley Thomson said finding the money for the much needed equipment was near impossible.

“We had to fund it ourselves or run fundraisers or find a charity willing to fund it for us,” she said.

Thanks to Warne’s foundation, Austin was gifted two ‘second skin’ body splints, each costing around $2,200 each.

The costly splints, which are required to be updated every year, help prevent scoliosis of the spine and aid his ability to walk by supporting his muscles, ensuring he remains upright.

The Foundation also funded a therapy program at a specialised paediatric therapy centre in Los Angeles for Austin when he was just four-years-old.

Here Austin completed three weeks of intensive therapy which included conditioning while wearing a Neurosuit, exercises in the multifunctional therapy and occupational therapy.

“The help that Shane gave us didn’t just ease the financial burden,” Ms Thomson said.

“It helped Austin turn into the strong willed, determined and passionate young man that he is now and is continuing to become.”

Partially due to early intervention, Austin is high functioning, loves his sporty with his friends and attends mainstream school.

“He’s an amazing kid – an inspiration,” Mr Reid said.

“He’s not one to just sit back on the side line.”

Mr Reid said the past week had been extremely difficult, grieving the loss of Warne.

“We went to his statue at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to drop off some things and pay our respects,” he said.

“I think that’s when it really hit Austin – he was bawling his eyes out.”

But Mr Reid said the legacy of the foundation will “live on forever”.

“The king may be gone, but not forgotten are the kingdom of memories and moments he created,” he said.

“ … not just what he did on the pitch but also the hundreds and thousands of grants and experiences families received from the foundation existing.

“Let the thousands of tears we’ve cried over the past week, be replaced with thousands of moments of happiness Shane and his foundation created.”

From 2004-2017 Warne’s foundation helped raise more than $7 million through corporate sponsorship, events and donations to help over 120 children’s charities and families in Australia.

This included funding for essential medical equipment, specialist treatment, house and car modification and new program developments.

Former general manager of the Foundation Emma Coleman said Warne’s legacy and dedication to charity would continue to live on in “the kids he touched the hearts of the most”.

“It is not the countless hours raising community awareness nor the millions of dollars he has raised that they will remember him for the most,” Ms Coleman said.

“It is his ‘behind the scenes’, expect nothing in return, off camera and genuine passion for helping so many children.

“It is these children and families for whom my heart also goes out to.

“Shane was and will forever be their superhero.”

The foundation closed in 2017 after concerns were raised about its finances with Warne saying at the time he was very proud of the “significant difference’’ it had made to children’s lives.

Originally published as Shane Warne quietly helped battling kids through special foundation