MEDICAL UPDATE AND THANK YOU MESSAGE FROM IOANNIS

Please note: thanks to the outstanding generosity of the donors from around the world, GoFundMe donations for Ioannis Vidiniotis have now closed.

On behalf of Ioannis Vidiniotis and his entire family, we would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to every single person who has donated, shared words of encouragement, or offered support during this incredibly difficult time.

Your generosity has been overwhelming. The love and kindness shown by friends, strangers, and the broader community across Australia, Greece, and beyond has provided strength and hope to Ioannis as he begins the long journey toward recovery.

Specialists in Western Australia have advised Greek tourist Ioannis (Giannis) Vidiniotis that, in the best interests of his long-term recovery and quality of life, he should return to Greece to begin long term rehabilitation.

After extensive assessment and consultation, his specialists have determined that Ioannis’s ongoing care and rehabilitation will be best managed in his home country, where a comprehensive life and rehabilitation plan can be put in place.

This includes admission to an appropriate specialist rehabilitation hospital in Athens, as well as the necessary modification of his family home to ensure it meets his long-term mobility, care and rehabilitation needs.

Planning is now underway to ensure a safe and supported transfer back to Greece, with Australian and Greek medical professionals working closely to coordinate his ongoing care. This will involve specialist equipment and a nurse and doctor from Perth to accompany him on the flight back to Athens.

Thanks to your contributions, more than $300,000 has been raised, helping to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation needs, and the complex international medical transfer required to return Ioannis safely to Greece. This support ensures he can continue his rehabilitation close to home, surrounded by loved ones and with the long‑term specialist care he needs.

Ioannis himself has asked us to share his profound gratitude. He has been deeply moved by every message, every prayer, and every donation. Although the road ahead is long, your support has given him renewed strength, courage, and hope.

“To all the people who have wished me a speedy recovery and to everyone who has donated to the cause I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“I have been overwhelmed by the love and support from friends, family and strangers across the world and appreciate everyone’s kindness.

“I know I have a long road ahead of me, but I am confident I have the will and strength coupled with God’s help, to overcome this hurdle that life has thrown at me.

“I want to extend my gratitude for the generosity everyone has shown me. Going back to Greece will give me the best opportunity to get my life back together surrounded by family and friends.”

We extend a special and sincere thank you to the Hellenic Community of Western Australia, whose leadership, coordination, and compassion made the 'Together for Ioannis: A Community Call for Support' campaign possible.

The Hellenic Community of Western Australia's CEO Paul Savvas said it was a genuine pleasure to help support Ioannis on his road to recovery.

“Our team has worked hard behind the scenes to promote the fundraising effort for Ioannis which has now surpassed the target of 300-thousand dollars.”

“This will support the family's current and ongoing medical bills, rehabilitation and repatriation.

“The Hellenic Community of Western Australia has built its foundations on faith, philanthropic and benevolent causes, and is a community that always comes together in times of crisis or in need to support one of its own.”

Ioannis and his mother are expected to fly back to Athens within the next two weeks once the appropriate medical plan in Greece has been put in place.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with Ioannis during this life‑changing moment. Your kindness will stay with our family forever.

With gratitude, The Vidiniotis Family

Visit the HCWA website to read more on the medical update of Ioannis

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The Hellenic Community of Western Australia is reaching out to our community and friends to seek support for Ioannis Vidiniotis, a 28 year old visiting Perth from Athens who has suffered catastrophic and life‑altering injuries.

On New Year’s Eve, Ioannis was involved in a tragic accident while swimming at Cottesloe Beach, where he struck his head on a sandbank and sustained a broken collarbone and severe spinal fractures. He became unconscious and received medical help before being taken to hospital. He was taken by ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital, where he underwent emergency five-hour spinal surgery.

Ioannis remains in the Intensive Care Unit, where doctors expect him to stay for at least six to eight weeks. He currently has no movement in his legs and is unable to close his hands. Surgeons have advised that, due to the extent of his spinal injuries, (UPDATED) Ioannis' chance of walking again is less than 5%. Following this period, medical specialists will reassess his condition to determine the full extent of his rehabilitation needs and long‑term care requirements.

Ioannis is the nephew of Dimitrios and Effie Kazantzidis and the cousin of Elle Kazantzidis and Aristea Kazantzidou, who are valued members of our Hellenic Community here in Western Australia. His parents, Nikolaos Vidiniotis and Sevasti Kazantzidou, are currently travelling from Greece to be with him during this critical and distressing time.

Why We Are Asking for Support

The severity of Ioannis’ injuries has placed an extraordinary financial burden on him and his family. The costs associated with prolonged ICU care, specialist treatment, rehabilitation in Australia are overwhelming.

As a community, we believe in standing together and offering support during times of unforeseen hardship.

How Your Donation Will Help

Funds raised through this appeal will help cover:

• Hospital and medical expenses

• Ongoing care and long term rehabilitation

Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference. If you are unable to donate, we kindly encourage you to share this appeal within your networks.

The Hellenic Community of Western Australia sincerely thanks you for your compassion, generosity, and support for Ioannis and his family during this extremely difficult journey.

Με βαθιά εκτίμηση και ευγνωμοσύνη

Paul Afkos, President and Paul Savvas, Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the Board of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia.

> Read the PerthNow article

Notes when donating: