12-year-old, mad-keen fisher wins CRABS tinny

Twelve-year-old Kael Mordike was “super stoked” to be drawn as the winner of the Bermagui Cancer Research Advocate Bikers (CRABS) major raffle of a new Stacer tinny.

He spent his own money on a ticket purchased at the Tilba Easter Festival for the prize drawn at the recent Bermagui Bike Show. Money raised through the raffle is donated by CRABS to Cancer Council NSW and Bega Valley Can Assist to support people suffering cancer and their families.

Kael’s grandmother was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year and has undergone operations and radiation.

Kael’s mum Michelle said that was one of the reasons he wanted to spend his money.

“He said ‘even if I don’t win the boat, the money is going to a great cause’,” she said.

"He’s such a sweet kid.”

Michelle said, despite his age, Kael was a “mad keen fisherman” who has been out fishing most weekends of his life until a recent move to Jerrabomberra, near Queanbeyan.

Before the family’s move from North Queensland, Kael was “devastated” when the family boat was stolen from their front yard.

Michelle said they made the decision to not replace it after the move as they weren’t sure it would get much use near Canberra.

However, the prize was immediately christened the day after the bike show – Kael caught a couple of nice tailor on the outing – and will likely see more use as Kael has grandparents living at Narooma.

Founder of the CRABS Rob Grimstone said the raffle was one of the group’s most popular fundraisers.

He said at the Bike Show, $20,000 was donated to the Cancer Council and $5000 to Can Assist. But after checking the bank balance afterwards, found close to a further $20,000 had been raised on the day.

Mr Grimstone said CRABS had now donated $303,000 to the two cancer support organisations in under 10 years.

Next up for the CRABS are the popular duck races in September.