Family, friends, and strangers have come together to raise over $100,000 to honor a surfer believed to have been taken by a shark in South Australia.
Lance Appleby, aged 28, faced a shark attack at Granites Beach near Streaky Bay, just before 7 PM on Thursday.
A GoFundMe campaign established for Appleby over the weekend has successfully collected more than $101,000. The funds will be utilized for a memorial, a plaque, and to assist the family in managing their financial burdens following this tragic loss.
READ MORE: Search for body of surfer taken by shark called off
The passionate surfer was a beloved brother, son, and friend, as noted in the GoFundMe campaign.
“No matter where Lance lived or worked, he always built deep connections within the local community and formed lifelong friendships. He was the kind of person everyone wanted to spend time with.
“He enjoyed sports, traveling, FaceTiming family, sipping coffees, giving bear hugs, fulfilling his uncle duties, and most importantly, relishing time with his friends.”
The search for Appleby’s body was called off yesterday.
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Earlier, Kenneth Appleby, his brother, shared a heartfelt tribute online.
“The pain we are feeling as a family is beyond description,” he expressed.
“We are completely devastated, and there is an immense void in our hearts.
“The only comfort we derive is knowing that Lance was engaged in what he loved with a radiant smile on his face.
“Forever young, forever surfing, forever cherished.”
His former Football Club, Marble Range, remembered Appleby as having “a heart of gold, always smiling, and deeply adored within our community.”
