Mike Corkill, centre, with his wife and children from left; Liam, 17, Brittany, 14, Julie-Ann, Cassie, 21, and Teigan, 9. Photo: Andrew Board.

Mike close to reaching target for new lungs

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After seven months and $81,000, Mike Corkill is just $19,000 away from the new set of lungs he needs to survive.

Mike has a pulmonary hypertension, a rare and incurable lung disorder. To live, he needs a new set of lungs, but the treatment isn’t available in New Zealand because there aren’t enough donors.

So Mike, a father of five, needs to raise $100,000 to pay for a transplant and treatment in India.

He started his quest for the cash in April with a story in Nelson Weekly.

Since then, the community has rallied to raise more than $80,000, much of that from Nelsonians and local businesses. Richmond Mall allowed Mike and his family to collect money in the mall for several months, and the Richmond Lions also donated $2500 to Mike’s cause. They are just two examples of the many groups that have got in behind Mike and his family.

There have also been raffles, a quiz night and several other fundraising ideas, including a Givealittle fundraising page.

Mike says with the target so close and medical clearance to fly, he and his wife have applied for passports and visas to India, with a tentative plan to fly out in mid-January.

But first he needs the final $19,000.

The family have run out of ideas to get over the final hurdle and Mike is hoping for support from the community. “It’s been a big effort and really hard, but we’re so close.”

To donate to Mike’s cause visit www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/mikecorkillappeal or donate to a bank account set up for the cause, 38-9006-0093683-03.