RECENTLY we’ve seen our community digging deep for two brave lads doing battle with leukaemia and lymphoma, Connor Fitzsimmons and Noah Berrisford. Once again the people of Goulburn go above and beyond when it comes to giving a hand to those in need, so it is timely that we check in with another of our little local champs, Evan Upton. Last year family, friends and work mates of the Uptons decided to help them out, and set about raising funds for a wheelchair lift for the family vehicle, a $13,000 expense. You may recall Evan’s story from last year.  At 10 months old it was thought that Evan was affected with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, after he began failing to reach developmental milestones and his progress slowed, his ability to function normally deteriorated. By the age of four the diagnosis had changed to an unknown degenerative disease. He is reliant on a wheelchair most of the time, and his parents and carers assist him for all his needs.  At present the doctors have exhausted all known possible diseases Evan may have that could be causing his condition. This means his parents Chris and Hayley still have no answers, but testing will go on.  In the meantime Evan will soon have a new walker, as work continues to keep him as mobile as they possibly can, to try and avoid him becoming completely wheelchair bound.  Overall some $15,000 was raised, which is just amazing and this meant that the cost of installing the wheelchair lift was covered entirely. With the extra funds they will be able to pay for modifications to their new home, so Evan can get around easily and safely. Last December, after much research and a slight delay getting the lifter imported, the family van was ready for Evan. The new kitted out van has made life a lot easier for the Uptons, and the transportation of Evan and all his equipment now requires much less effort. Hayley and Chris are blown away by it all. Hayley said “I can’t believe how much help we got and we didn’t even have to ask for it, the Goulburn Community is just amazing like that.”  They don’t even know where to start to express their gratitude: “We feel so humbled, we are just so amazed at how beautiful and generous the people of Goulburn are, and we are truly blessed to be able to live and raise our children here”.  Melissa Lachlan and Adam Kite from the Police Driver Training school were instrumental in organising a number of events, the biggest of which was a charity golf day, and the Upton family wishes to thank them for their enormous effort. Goulburn Base Hospital staff also helped out with contributions, along with the Goulburn Mulwaree Rotary, the Greek Community, the Masonic Association, Woolworths, the Railway Social Golf Club, Goulburn Invitational Incorporated, as well as many local small businesses that contributed to prizes for raffles. It just goes to show what we as a community are capable of, and it makes you wonder if given the chance what else can be achieved.