Local cop’s passion fuels fundraiser honouring the fallen

Blue Ribbon Foundation North East branch president Sergeant Travis Carroll has always had a special passion for raising funds for the police charity, but this year has been particularly close to his heart. Sgt Carroll was a colleague of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson for 10 years in his time at Wangaratta and he was in contact with Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart in the days prior to his tragic death while he was stationed at Mount Beauty. As Sgt Carroll reflected on the overwhelming support his foundation branch had received over the past three months for its signature fundraising in Wangaratta event next week, it almost brought him to tears. “It is special to me and the whole blue ribbon concept is very special to me,” he said. “I've got a real passion for honouring those people that give everything in the line of duty; they give an ultimate sacrifice that is paid by those members all in the name of protecting our community, keeping our people safe, looking after those in need. “I'm the father of a daughter who's a childhood leukemia survivor; so hospitals are really important to me, and police and my colleagues are really important to me.” The fundraising event, Inside Story, will see a pair of lead detectives with experience in Victoria Police Homicide Squad share highly publicised true crime stories, giving step by step presentations from the crime to the final arrest. Due to being current serving members, Sgt Carroll said he couldn’t reveal the night’s speakers, but their cases would leave audiences on the edge of their seats. “These are major cases that, when they happened, Australia heard about it,” he said. Following their presentations, the audience will have the chance to ask questions and get the answers they traditionally don’t get from a true crime podcast or documentary. The night will also include a major raffle which boasts prizes from a host of local community organisations. Prizes include weekend holiday stay packages, outdoor equipment, beauty packages, jewellery and local winery packages. A $5000 voucher to McPhails Furniture will be the signature prize of the night. All funds will go directly to local hospitals, with the foundation raising up to $750,000 for North East hospitals since 2006. This event has been ultra successful within the Wangaratta community in recent years, with the foundation raising $12,500 from last year’s fundraiser. Sgt Carroll said he hoped to match that effort for this year’s event, but he was extremely thankful for any cent or show of support the foundation could receive. “They can take some comfort in the fact that everything they donate goes to our hospitals, which benefits our whole community,” he said. The event at the Gateway Hotel begins from 6:30pm on 21 November and is strictly for over 18-year-olds. Light refreshments will be provided and drinks available at bar prices. Bookings close on Wednesday, 19 November and tickets can be bought via the link: https://remember.org.au/events/inside-story/ Donations to the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s local branch can be made anytime at the Wangaratta Police Station, with merchandise available.

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