Support for Chance’s family

*Detailed account of these tragic days provided by Regina, Chance's mother in the attached photos below

Thursday 20 June started as any other day in the Peniongo house, as Chance left for school. Later that day staff contacted his Mum Regina to tell her that he was feeling unwell with headaches and she went and collected him from school.

On the morning of Friday 21 June Chance started experiencing seizures and was rushed to Echuca Regional Hospital by ambulance. By the afternoon he was airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. The seriousness of the situation was made aware to the family that evening, with doctors advising them that Chance had contracted acute necrotising encephalitis and that there was no brain activity showing in scans. Chance being just 13 years of age, this news was inconceivable to his loved ones as this meant that without the life support machines Chance would not continue breathing.

While Chance was kept on life support for several days from Friday to the following Wednesday, he did not regain consciousness and family members were left devastated with the sudden nature of his illness and shock of the diagnosis. Regina and the family would like to acknowledge the Royal Children’s Hospital for giving Chance the very best care medically and looking after him so well.

Chance passed away peacefully and surrounded by his immediate family on Wednesday 26 June.

Chance was a real-life angel who lit up every room that he walked into. The youngest of 5 children, he lived up to his title as the baby of the family and was so incredibly loved. Chance recently became an uncle and was so proud of his nephews and they loved him to pieces. He had a huge heart and would always sense when others were sad and go out of his way to cheer them up. It didn’t matter if you were young or old – if he sensed you were down he was going to try his best to make you smile! 

Super popular at school he would entertain all of his classmates and teachers said that whenever he won awards the other kids would cheer him on as he did a dab, and then every kid wanted to give him a high five as he walked past. He would look out for the random kid at camp and start a conversation and decide, “we are going to be friends today”. He never liked anyone to be left out.

As the family are now left to grieve the loss of their larger-than-life son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend we wanted to give others the opportunity to contribute financially in this tragic time. Any contribution would be so appreciated to help ease the financial burden of this time with funeral costs and also time to allow the family to pick up the pieces of their life without the additional pressure of returning to work quickly.

This Go Fund Me is made with the consent of Regina, Chance’s mother, and the family, and any funds raised will go directly to them.

THANK YOU for your support of Chance’s family in this very difficult time xx