Mick and Kellie Piera
Donation protected
2020 has been an unprecedented year for disaster, hardship and flipping the lives of people around without warning. For some, it's been hard but they've been able to see it out. For others, they've been doing it a lot tougher.
Mick and Kellie Piera are a couple of generous, warm-hearted people who we have grown up with in Mount Beauty. Growing up in the Kiewa Valley in a strong community, they've always been the first to help out friends, to keep family close and enrich the lives of everyone they meet.
In recent times, Kellie has been battling Mitochondrial disease. It's a debilitating, multi-system illness and life has changed dramatically for her. With the help of family and close friends, she's been able to find ways to deal with the symptoms, but it has meant her giving up her career as a nurse.
To make sure they could enjoy a better quality of care and independence together, they moved back to Tawonga/Mount Beauty and founded Crank Handle Brewery. Mick has always been handy, and turning his attention to a unique craft brewery has seen the opening of a successful enterprise.
The end of 2019 saw the bushfires put pause to the operation of the brewery, along with many local businesses. And then, of course, COVID-19 meant further closures with no certainty. Because of its recent launch, the business wasn't afforded the same benefits as others via Government help, although JobKeeper meant being able to keep things going.
In September Mick was diagnosed with a tumor, sitting under the brain and filling the sinus cavity. Tests revealed it was cancerous and would need to be operated on ASAP. Currently Mick is in Melbourne having a procedure to remove the affected area and will then undergo 30 separate trips to Albury over 6 weeks for radiation therapy.
Kellie has also suffered a serious injury after a fall and has had treatment meaning she is now an inpatient for several weeks in Mount Beauty Hospital and will then have ongoing remedial therapy thereafter to make sure she's able to regain her ability to walk and be independent.
It's been harrowing for them and for everyone in their close circle.
I won't be the only one wondering how they keep their composure and good graces under pressure, but in Mick's own words "You just have to deal with what you've been given and do the best you can".
So on behalf of everyone who knows and loves them, and anyone who would like to contribute, we'd like to raise funds to help pay for the additional costs of care, travel and loss of work during this time. For Mick to get to/from Melbourne and then for them both to get to/from Albury/Wodonga for treatment.
There is a group of volunteers who are supporting their youngest, Stacey Piera, in running the Brewery in Mick's absence. But beyond our ability to help out, bills will still need to be paid for the short but indefinite future.
We're asking for a little from many - any amount will lessen the load. Thank you for your generous support.
Mick and Kellie Piera are a couple of generous, warm-hearted people who we have grown up with in Mount Beauty. Growing up in the Kiewa Valley in a strong community, they've always been the first to help out friends, to keep family close and enrich the lives of everyone they meet.
In recent times, Kellie has been battling Mitochondrial disease. It's a debilitating, multi-system illness and life has changed dramatically for her. With the help of family and close friends, she's been able to find ways to deal with the symptoms, but it has meant her giving up her career as a nurse.
To make sure they could enjoy a better quality of care and independence together, they moved back to Tawonga/Mount Beauty and founded Crank Handle Brewery. Mick has always been handy, and turning his attention to a unique craft brewery has seen the opening of a successful enterprise.
The end of 2019 saw the bushfires put pause to the operation of the brewery, along with many local businesses. And then, of course, COVID-19 meant further closures with no certainty. Because of its recent launch, the business wasn't afforded the same benefits as others via Government help, although JobKeeper meant being able to keep things going.
In September Mick was diagnosed with a tumor, sitting under the brain and filling the sinus cavity. Tests revealed it was cancerous and would need to be operated on ASAP. Currently Mick is in Melbourne having a procedure to remove the affected area and will then undergo 30 separate trips to Albury over 6 weeks for radiation therapy.
Kellie has also suffered a serious injury after a fall and has had treatment meaning she is now an inpatient for several weeks in Mount Beauty Hospital and will then have ongoing remedial therapy thereafter to make sure she's able to regain her ability to walk and be independent.
It's been harrowing for them and for everyone in their close circle.
I won't be the only one wondering how they keep their composure and good graces under pressure, but in Mick's own words "You just have to deal with what you've been given and do the best you can".
So on behalf of everyone who knows and loves them, and anyone who would like to contribute, we'd like to raise funds to help pay for the additional costs of care, travel and loss of work during this time. For Mick to get to/from Melbourne and then for them both to get to/from Albury/Wodonga for treatment.
There is a group of volunteers who are supporting their youngest, Stacey Piera, in running the Brewery in Mick's absence. But beyond our ability to help out, bills will still need to be paid for the short but indefinite future.
We're asking for a little from many - any amount will lessen the load. Thank you for your generous support.
Fundraising team (3)
Simon Mundy
Organizer
Tawonga VIC
Mick Piera
Beneficiary
Leanne Cappellari
Team member
David Long
Team member
