THE tragic death of young Byron Gordon, 10, earlier this week left the small Wyndham community - and indeed the whole region - reeling.
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Byron was playing with his younger brother on Terrace Beach near Eden on Monday afternoon when a sand dune collapsed on him and unfortunately he could not be revived.
In a situation where mere words can't fully express our sympathy and solidarity for Byron's family, the Far South Coast community has rallied behind them in the way it has done for - unfortunately too many - others in similar circumstances.
"Very close" family friends the Guenthroths have begun a collection for the Gordon-Jenkins family as well as organised a raffle and silent auction.
"Byron was an absolutely gorgeous child," Alesha Guenthroth said on Friday.
"He had a smile that could make anyone happy - we all called him our little angel.
"No-one plans or budgets for a funeral for their kids, so we are trying to raise funds for them so they can grieve together without the everyday burdens intruding," she said.
"Nothing will make it any easier, but this is one practical way where we can help them.
Ms Guenthroth said the community and businesses right up and down the coast have been "amazing" in such a short time frame.
"The community has been great with such an outpouring of love and support.
"The family has been completely overwhelmed and humbled - they have never been in a place before where everyone comes together in love like here.
"And it's not just Wyndham, but the whole South Coast.
"It's a credit to the whole community."
Through Ms Guenthroth's partner's business, South Coast Tyres in Bega, a raffle has been organised to run for a couple of weeks with wonderful donated prizes.
In addition, at Sunday's Pambula Motorfest, a silent auction with over $2000 worth of donated goods on offer will also raise money for Byron's family.
Big ticket items include power tools, underwater action cameras, heaps of vouchers "and the list goes on".
Tickets for the raffle are available from South Coast Tyres in Auckland St, Bega, Fisk and Nagle offices on the Far South Coast, the Wyndham General Store and the Tea Tree Cafe in Pambula.
They will also be available at Sunday's Motorfest.
If anyone wishes to make a cash donation, they can also use an NAB bank account - Name: Donations; BSB: 082902; Account: 943102985.
For more information contact Alesha Guenthroth at alesha.guenthroth@gmail.com.