The White family were the recipients of Peter’s Christmas Miracle – A Random Act of Kindness. Orange builder Peter O’Brien invited applications for his $18,000 giveaway, which were voted on by the public. A winner was then chosen from the final three candidates by an independent panel.

The project was designed to create a new wheelchair-accessible bathroom and Peter’s team have delivered in spades. Several suppliers also came on board and offered generous discounts to make the money stretch further. They can be proud of their contribution. 

Receiving a new bathroom has changed Liam’s life by giving him independence.  “We are really, really thrilled. It is absolutely fantastic,” Liam’s mum Vanessa said yesterday.

“Liam can get himself on and off the toilet, he can clean his teeth and can pretty much shower himself, as long as I help him wash his hair.

“With this new bathroom he doesn’t need much help at all. He can even wheel himself in and out of the house through the wide door.”

As a result Liam is now living at home full-time and attending physiotherapy a couple of times a week. He also receives regular visits from Brain Injury Unit staff.

When Liam was 17, doctors discovered he had a tumour the size of an egg deep inside his brain.

It affected his ability to walk, to communicate and also his vision. 

He has undergone six surgical procedures as well as radiotherapy. He spent his 18th birthday in the radiotherapy unit.

With Vanessa and his dad John both working full-time sometimes there’s a little juggling to be done to ensure there is always someone at home with him, but he is making remarkable progress.

“I would really like to thank Peter O’Brien Constructions for the absolutely amazing job they have done in providing us with a bathroom and laundry,” Vanessa said. 

“We now have a fully functional bathroom and laundry that works beautifully for someone in a wheelchair.

“All the workmen were fantastic. They were very supportive. It has made a huge difference to our lives. We can’t thank Peter enough.

“Liam is improving every day and in a couple of months probably won’t need our help at all.”

She said while Peter O’Brien Constructions built the new bathroom and laundry there was also a lot of support from the whole community.

“We will be eternally grateful,” she said.

Mr O’Brien said he is very happy they were able to help get Liam home. 

He said the fact Liam can now use his own bathroom and be a bit more independent is fantastic. 

“We are really happy it has all come together. I want to thank everyone involved. I am really happy with the outcome,” Mr O’Brien said. 

“I want to thank everyone for helping make this life changing project happen – apologies in advance if I miss anyone – the Western Advocate, Central Western Daily, all the applicants, everyone who voted, all the judges, all of our team at Peter O’Brien Constructions, all the trades and suppliers that helped make the money go even further, TradeLink, Smith and Co Locksmiths, Beaumont Tiles, Bathurst Furniture and Kitchens, and Mark O’ Toole Electrician,” Mr O’Brien said.

Thank you to:

Peter O’Brien Constructions

Mark O’Toole Electrician for the electrical work

Smith and Co Locksmiths for doors and locks

Lawrence and Hansen Electrical Wholesalers

TradeLink for the big discounts

Beaumont Tiles

Bathurst Furniture and Kitchens for their discount

Tinbilla Water for filling up the water tanks

Lloyd and Donna Kennedy for the skip bins

St Stanislaus’ College for the amazing support from the whole school community especially the 2015 Year 12 boys

MacKillop College for their sausage sizzle and huge fundraising effort

Bathurst Regional Council for the sausage sizzle

Bathurst Pony Club for the two raffles organised by Sarah Malcolm

Cherie Howe for the meat raffles at the Perthville Pub

All who donated to the Go Fund Me page