Determined to support 21-year-old Jenna Sullivan and her two-year-old daughter, Allie, these caring communities have rallied to help ease the financial burden of treatment costs and to add to a trust fund.

Jenna has been diagnosed with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare slow-growing cancer in the liver, and needs specialist medical attention in Sydney.

With the high costs associated with this treatment and the cost of accommodation, along with the five-hour trip to Sydney, the Sullivan family budget has been stretched to the limit.

In a bid to help, Coolac residents Charlie and Sue Sheahan organised a dinner, complete with raffles and auctions, to raise much-needed funds.

All expectations were exceeded, with a total of $10,000 raised.

During the evening, Mr Sheahan expressed the fundraising success simply.

“This isn’t charity, it’s an expression of our caring shown through raising much-needed money,” he said.

Organisers had planned to pre-sell a maximum of 100 tickets for the dinner, but due to overwhelming support the number increased to 130, with a large number of people being turned away as the facility could not cater for more.

Contractors from the Abi Group, responsible for the construction of the Coolac bypass, also supported the cause.

They held a barbecue lunch and raised nearly $4000.

Also working tirelessly to raise funds for Allie are the Coolac Bingo Ladies, who have an ongoing monster raffle to be drawn in late November.

The women are also holding weekly barbecues on Thursdays and Fridays at the Coolac Store, with all money raised to be put in a trust for Allie.

The large amount of money raised by the communities will also provide a chance for Jenna and Allie to get away and enjoy some special moments together.

The Sullivan family is planning to take Ms Sullivan and her daughter to the Gold Coast where they can enjoy the sunshine and give Allie the opportunity to have some happy memories of her time with her mum.

If you would like to help in raising funds for Jenna and Allie, please contact The Daily Advertiser on 6938 3300.