A Victorian football club will hold a community fundraiser game to support the families and victims of the horror school bus crash that rocked a “tight-knit” community.
Eynesbury Eagles Junior Football and Netball Club director Mark Heaney said he was expecting “thousands” to attend the game between the Eagles and Wallan at the Eynesbury Recreation Reserve.
All proceeds from the game will go to Exford Primary School.
Eynesbury Football Club will host the fundraiser game on Friday. Picture: Facebook
The club is expecting thousands to attend. Picture: Facebook
“Everybody just wants to do what they can to help,” Mr Heaney said on Sunrise.
“Any of the funds that we raise … will be put into an account and then given to Exford and their principal … and the children’s parents can decide how the money is best put to use.”
The local Rotary Club has also reportedly offered to pay parking fees at the event.
As of Thursday, seven children remain in the Royal Children’s Hospital in a stable condition.
“(The other kids are) happy to be home and so are the parents,” Mr Heaney said.
“They are very touched by the outpouring of support from the community, as are we.”
The bus was transporting students from Exford Primary School. Picture: 7 NEWS
The incident is being investigated by the major collision squad. Picture: 9 News
Mr Heaney said community members could get involved in Friday’s game by heading to the club’s website to donate or to the game in person.
“The more the merrier, we’d be happy to see everyone.”
The fundraiser game comes after a school bus containing 46 primary school-aged children and its driver rolled after being struck by a truck while turning at Eynesbury about 3.55pm on Tuesday.
Nine children were trapped in the wreckage, while eight suffered life-threatening injuries, eight had serious injuries and 30 were described as “walking wounded”.
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Two children have since had limbs amputated.
The driver of the truck, Jamie Gleeson, 49, was charged with four counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury.