Matthew Bejjani and his family (Sharon, Naji and Elise)

Dear Friends and Family, my name is Jo Tierney and I am the Mum of Alex Tierney, who is one of Matt’s best friends.

All “The boys” (Matt’s good friends), describe him as that mate who would always be there to cheer you up if you were down and that friend who would always put a smile on your face. His positivity is contagious.

Matthew Bejjani was in a near fatal car accident in 2022. He had just celebrated his 18th birthday at the end of September and was due to sit his first HSC exam (English) on the Wednesday, 12th October. On Friday evening, 7th October, Matt was on his way home driving in hazardous weather conditions after a study session at Macquarie University. Matt had stayed at the Uni after the other boys left, trying to get some extra study in. Unfortunately, when turning into the street where he lived, through no fault of his own, he lost control of his car and crashed into a telegraph pole. That evening his life, future and family would change forever.

Matty B (the name all his mates use) was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition and put on life support, not expecting to survive. After multiple surgeries and a very long stay at the Hospital, Matty was transferred to the Brain Injury Unit at Putney Rehab Hospital, where he has been ever since. As any of you would imagine this traumatic event has left his beautiful family Sharon (Mum), Naji (Dad) and Elise (sister) devastated.

Over the past 20 months “The boys” have been visiting Matty B at the Putney Brain Unit. During their visits they show him past and recent photos of them all and tell him lots of stories. All these boys have shared so many great times together. During these catch ups we have all seen Matty B’s smile trying to come through, you can see he recognises his mates and really wants to join in on the conversation. This melts my heart and gives us all so much hope.

I have spent time with Matt and his family over these very difficult 20 months and I have so much admiration for Sharon, Naji and Elise - to me they are so brave, dedicated, strong, but still so vulnerable. It has been a privilege for me to be able to visit Matty at Putney Rehab. I have shared many coffees and conversations with his parents and sister, Sharon, Naji and Elise. Wonderful people!

His family are in the process of modifying their house so they can bring him home. This is a huge renovation of their home at North Ryde. Matty will require 24-hour nursing care and he is currently confined to a wheelchair and fed intravenously. This home modification job is huge and even though having him home will be amazing, it will also be a huge adjustment for the family.

The goal for the Bejjani family is to have him home for his 20th birthday on the 22nd September - hopefully all the building will be completed by this time.

This is where WE can all help. His family need to purchase a specialised vehicle (Hyundai Staria) which will allow them to drive Matt around and this vehicle will give him wheelchair access. The family will have the ability to take Matty out to appointments and take him on family scenic drives. The windows in the vehicle we would like to buy for them are extra-large, so this will give Matt great access to see what is going on outside. Even more importantly, the way the seats are configured in this vehicle allow Matt's wheelchair to be fixed up the front with all the other passengers, so he will be sitting next to his friends and family.

“The boys” and I have a goal. We would like to raise $50,000 and donate this to the Bejjani family - so they can buy this vehicle and bring Matt home in it for his birthday on 22nd September. I know we can do it and all his mates would appreciate your donation to help us achieve this goal. The Bejjani family have been (and continue to go through) such a difficult time. To be able to help purchase this very necessary item for them - so they can do life a little bit easier with their son Matt - would be AWESOME!!!!!!!!

Please help us raise this money, we would be so grateful for whatever amount you can donate. Thank you!!!!!!!!