By TANIA PHILLIPS
THE tiny town of Urbenville usually has a population of around 240 but to help a mate that swelled to 400-500 recently.
The town banded together to raise an amazing $36,500 at fund-raising day to help one of their own, young father-of-three Troy Hill.
Troy was injured in a logging accident one week out from Christmas, spending two weeks in an induced coma in Lismore before being moved to the Prince of Wales Hospital. Doctors fought to reduce his infection but were eventually forced to amputate one of his legs.
Urbenville Progress Association member Colleen Schofield said the support on the day was amazing.
Ms Schofield said people came from throughout the region and as far away as Brisbane and Grafton to take part in the fund-raiser.
The event included a Twenty-20 cricket game and bowls day at the local showground and bowls club and was followed by an auction at the pub that night.
“It was amazing – we are such a small community but we open our hearts,” she said.
“Troy is improving and hopefully in the next six weeks he will come back to Ballina for rehab.”
