Paul and Emma Caiafa, with their children, pictured back in 2015.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Shepparton United Soccer Club and the Shepparton Nations Cup will come together to stage a fundraiser for much-loved community figure Paul Caiafa.
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Good Samaritans from far and wide have come together to raise more than $70,000 as part of a GoFundMe drive to help to support the popular soccer referee and his family as he continues his recovery from a stroke, which caused severe brain neuron damage.
Caiafa has been hospitalised in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Melbourne for several months after suffering a stroke after undergoing surgery for 14 hours to remove a benign tumour near his brain stem.
That was his second round of surgery and before the procedure on Wednesday, April 22, he was described as “fit, healthy and full of life”.
The Shepparton man is currently paralysed from the neck down, with family members including his wife Emma and four children having been visiting him in the state capital as he undergoes a process of intensive rehabilitation on a regular basis.
His loved ones have been travelling for three hours at a time to be at his bedside, but have exhausted their paid work leave, while having to still meet living costs, as well as travel and accommodation during this difficult time.
Now, Shepparton United and the Shepparton Nations Cup have revealed plans for a fundraiser match to take place, with all proceeds raised from the game to be donated to Caiafa and his family.
The match is set to kick-off at 5.30pm on August 30, as a Best XI from the Shepparton Nations Cup faces off against the recently-crowned FV senior men's League 1 team.
Supporters are encouraged to pack out the sidelines at McEwen Reserve, which has a capacity of 3,200, including the grandstand terrace, which has 500 seats for spectators.
Roven Shaholli has urged supporters to come to McEwen Reserve to support the cause.
Photo by
Holly Daniel
Now, Blues head coach Roven Shaholli has made a plea to supporters to head to the Shepparton ground on the weekend to help do their bit for the cause.
“It’s a very good cause, it’s good to get everyone around it,” he said.
“It’s so important to support one another and, obviously, he is a good bloke and refereed a lot of our games.
“There’s a lot of people getting involved and we’re fortunate that we have so many good people around our club to help out to get these things happening.
“This is a really good way for us to end this season.”
Previously, a representative from the Shepparton Nations Cup spoke of Caiafa’s important place in the city’s sporting community, while urging those who can donate to do so.
“Paul Caiafa has been part of the Nations Cup family since our very first tournament, dedicating his time over the past three years as one of our referees,” they said.
“His professionalism, commitment and passion for the game have played an important role in making our event what it is today.
“Paul and his family are currently going through an incredibly difficult time. During moments like these, our football community comes together to support one another.”
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