Restoring Darren’s Dignity

Darren passed away Friday 15/6/18.

Funds are being raised for his cremation and wake/s to be held at a later date and venues so as many of his friends can remember this amazing man. Always remembered and cherished,

Rest in peace, Yogi xo <3



OUR VISIT TO ATHERTON MAY 2017 - Paige and Darren cracked a 44 million year old geode to reveal stunning amethyst crystals. His oxygen concentrator means he can now have outings.


HISTORY OF THIS CAMPAIGN

WE ARE SO CLOSE TO FULFILLING DARREN'S NEEDS - 

A VAN IS NOW OUR PRIORITY!!The van means he can drive his scooter on board and have full access without using a manual wheelchair.

Restoring Darren’s Dignity

Like an old car that needs new life, Darren Madigan needs a little TLC. He needs restoration of his dignity and to re-polish his faith in his friendships and community.

He is an avid motor sports enthusiast. In fact, he’s an all sports fan and was a leading radio sports broadcaster for Fairfax and other networks as well as an anchorman for the ABC. Darren has rubbed shoulders with some of Australia’s sporting legends.

He supported local clubs and reported on women's netball before it was popular to do so. He watched the careers of prominent sports people develop and then proudly interviewed them and called some high profile sporting events.

Darren suffered 2 massive heart attacks that robbed him of his health leading to a heart transplant. He used his public profile to promote organ donation. Some 15 years ago, Darren discovered heart conditions aren’t just about old people. He learnt about congenital heart defects and set about helping the children through an awareness campaign for children born with heart disease.


Heartkid Paige and her friend and mentor Darren at her 18th birthday

Darren has 34 years of service in the entertainment industry and media. From being the voice of sports radio with thousands of listeners, he now has no family or local support network.
TICK - THANKYOU ASH & JAKE - 90.5 REBEL FM FOR YOUR RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS - DARREN IS NOW A GUEST SPORTS REPORTER FOR THEIR BREAKFAST PROGRAM!
Broadcasting live


Darren’s beloved mother Christine passed away in 2011. As his friends, we are all online or by phone with busy families and jobs. This makes regular contact increasingly difficult for him. He has kept his struggle private, not wanting to be a burden or seen as sponging or as whinging or just being weak. Only a few know just some of what he endures every single day.

The truth is - Darren’s gifted heart is failing. There is no chance of another transplant. There is no cure. His body is trapping his once irrepressible spirit inside itself. His condition is terminal. His medications have caused his body to balloon and he has developed breathing problems that mean he is on oxygen 24/7. He has developed a form of blood cancer. His eye sight is failing. He cant walk more than 10 metres nor stand for any period of time to prepare or cook a meal, something he loved to do. He endures unimaginable pain that the medication just can’t seem to undermine. The pain keeps him awake at night, alone - while we, sleep.

So Darren has been robbed again - of his emotional strength, his mobility, his independence and his ability to earn an income. He hasn’t asked for anything. He doesn’t want pity. He just doesn’t want to be forgotten. He hopes for his life to have meant something to someone and for his life’s work in sports broadcasting and organ donor awareness to be remembered. He is a proud man, but we have convinced him to speak out and accept help.

The body is a bit knocked about and his engine is running on empty. But, he isn’t ready for the junk yard just yet.

Our aim is to Restore Darren’s Dignity by improving his mobility, independence and comfort. This would mean he can stay in his own home for as long as possible so he can finish his memoirs, which he considers his legacy.

To restore Darren’s dignity, we need to source or fund the following:

MOBILITY

·         a motorised wheelchair or scooter suitable for up to 150kg, so he can be mobile and access local services but to also minimise his exertion in order to do everyday tasks like grocery shopping
TICK ----- AN EARTH ANGEL HAS SPREAD SOME VERY GENEROUS MAGIC  AND DUSTED THE SCOOTER WITH SOME GROCERY MONEY AT DARREN'S IGA  IN ATHERTON http://ilsau.com.au/product/sunrise-medical-s425-mobility-scooter/

·         a portable over the shoulder oxygen concentrator is a light weight convenient device with long battery life for longevity of his oxygen supply. It means he can regulate his oxygen supply and be away from power supplied oxygen for longer periods without cumbersome short lived bottles.
TICK - THANKYOU MEN OF LEAGUE FOUNDATION

·         Darren currently has a 2008 Lancer car is in need of repairs. The issue is, it is difficult for him to get in and out of this car given his size and condition. It is extremely difficult and exhausting man-handling his wheelchair into the boot by himself. Ideally, he needs a van or large wagon with drive on ramp to transport himself and his wheelchair/scooter.

INDEPENDENCE

·         a microwave oven so he easily cook or heat food without having to stand for long periods preparing food - HAS BEEN DONATED AND DELIVERED 
- A DISABILITY KITCHEN STOOL HAS BEEN DONATED AND DELIVERED
- DELICIOUS NUTRITIOUS HOME COOKED MEALS HAVE BEEN DELIVERED
<3 THANKYOU TO ALL OF DARREN'S EARTH ANGELS!

·         No one should have to choose between food or medicine. A Prepaid Visa Card for purchases at his local grocer would take some pressure off financially.
THANKYOU MEN OF LEAGUE FOUNDATION FOR THE VOUCHER AT DARREN'S FAVOURITE LOCAL SUPA IGA IN ATHERTON AND FOR HELPING WITH ELECTRICITY BILL.
DARREN'S MEDICATION SAFETY NET BILL HAS BEEN PAID UNTIL THE END OF 2017!
6 MONTHS CAR REGISTRATION PAID
ADVANCE PAYMENT ON ELECTRICITY BILL PAID

·         Realistically, funds need to be set aside for Darren’s final journey.


HOME COMFORT

·         a multi station cordless phone (with one beside his bed), so he can get to the phone easily in an emergency and maintain his friendships and support network

·         a computer to replace his decrepit laptop so he can stay in touch and finish his memoirs. Darren’s eyes are failing, so a large screen monitor would be very helpful.
TICK - Darren has received a desktop PC and tells me: I have spent any chance i have to download all the windows updates and set up security before i start using it. nearly there. Nice i7 processor so my old audio and video editing work that i need to catch up on will be a lot quicker to process -thankyou to the donor <3

.           his L shaped lounge is broken with the springs popping out. Friends sleep on the chaise section.
TICK - Thankyou to an Atherton local Phoebe - Darren is receiving a pre-loved recliner chair <3

There is one bucket list item and that bucket is rattling - in all his travels as a movie rep, Darren never got to visit the Northern Territory. His wish is to visit Karumba in the gulf.

              " I really just want to fill the tank a few times and head up the gulf to Karumba and have genuine feed of prawns and a big muddie washed down with NQ lager off the tap "


Yogi needs our help. His need list is not huge nor self-indulgent excess. He has exhausted his savings.

With so many of Darren's essential needs met, our target has now been reduced to $5 000 including helping to buy a used van with tradining in the Lancer, but whatever we raise will be prioritised for maximum benefit for Darren, every dollar counts and will make a huge impact on Darren’s quality of life for the rest of his life.

 Learn more about Darren via these You Tube links:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp8RZvCrde4L65RrOijaTzQ

https://www.youtube.com/user/Sportzscene/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0

Or his blog. http://darrenmadigan.blogspot.com.au/?view=classic

Or please like and share or leave your messages of support on the Facebook page – @RestoringDarrensDignity

A huge thankyou for helping! <3

AUCTION NOW CLOSED------ 
WINNING BID BY ANONYMOUS BIDDER $1000

In honour of our sports loving Darren and with huge thanks to Former Origin Greats Queensland (FOGS), we are auctioning this fabulous jersey...

The 2016 State of Origin Series reconfirmed  Queensland's dominance in the State of Origin arena. With 3 debutantes added to the star studded Queensland team, the Queensland Maroons took out their 24th series win and once again cemented their place in Rugby League History with their 10th series win in 11 years.

Winning the series on home soil at the home of Rugby League in Queensland, Suncorp Stadium in Game 2, the series also handed new coach, Maroon Legend FOG#63 Ken Walters, his first series win.

This Queensland State of Origin Jersey is personally signed by each player who represented Queensland in the 2016 Queensland State of Origin Series in Game One!

Bidding starts at $500 and this awesome piece will go to the highest bidder! Share this auction with all your contacts and work colleagues!

ANY LOYAL QUEENSLANDER WILL WANT THEIR CHANCE TO OWN THIS AWESOME PIECE OF HISTORY!

https://www.gofundme.com/restoring-darrens-dignity

Bidding closed Friday 10th March 2017.