The first eight years of Rosie Brkic's life have not been easy but family and friends have done all they can to give her the best possible life.
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Many fundraisers have been help to support the family but COVID-19 has caused many to be cancelled or postponed.
When the Greater Bank heard about that it decided to help Rosie and her family with a $2000 donation as part of its #GreaterIllawarra funding for April.
It was welcome news for the family including Rosie's grandfather Jason Angus who set up the fundraising charity called Rosie's Best Life.
Born in Nowra in 2012, Rosie was diagnosed with Autism at the age of two. The family did all they could to navigate through the initial struggles but soon realised there was more to Rosie's condition.
They noticed Rosie always drank a lot of water. And in 2017, she underwent a series of test which detected kidney failure. Rosie was then diagnosed with a rare genetic condition known as Bardet Biedl Syndrome.
The prognosis was not good but the family have done everything they can for Rosie with the support of many in the Shoalhaven community.
Mr Angus said Rosie's parents Stephanie and Andrew Brkic and son Benjamin have dedicated themselves to doing all they can to create special, long-lasting memories with the eight year old in the time they have left with her.
They don't know how long that will be but they are making the most of every minute.
Mr Angus welcomed the additional support from the Greater Bank.
He said the generosity of the community has been overwhelming and the timing of the #GreaterIllawarra funding could not come at a better time.
He said because of the coronavirus several fundraising events had to be cancelled. That included a sold out golf day in two weeks.
"It has really put the brakes on the group's fundraising work," he said.
"We can't thank Greater Bank, as well as everyone who voted and supported us, enough for their generosity".
Mr Angus said the family has had to undertake strict isolation measures to protect them all from COVID-19.
But they look forward to restrictions easing which will allow the family to get out again and provide wonderful and memorable experiences.
"COVID-19 has made things so tough for all of us," Mr Angus said.
"We don't know how long we have with Rosie but we'll do everything we can to maintain her care and treatment, and hopefully when things get back to some level of normality we can use this funding to make memories for all of us and give Rosie the best possible life."
Also benefiting from the April round of #GreaterIllawarra funding was Mt Terry Public School P&C and Breast Cancer Illawarra who each receive $500.
The May round of the #GreaterIllawarra program is open until May 27.
Hope in a suitcase - Illawarra Region, Illawarra Committee Against Domestic Violence Shellharbour Branch, and Minute By Minute Disaster Relief Inc Nowra Branch are each vying for a share in the $3000 funding.
Since launching in June 2018, the #GreaterIllawarra program has provided $81,000 to support 69 community and charity groups across the region.
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