A night of entertainment, auctions and raffles ended with a significant boost to Gracetown shark attack victim Alex Travaglini’s recovery fund.
Surfers and sponsors of the cancelled 2018 Margaret River Pro threw their support behind Mr Alex Travaglini following the attack, donating a host of prizes to be raffled and auctioned to help with the lengthy recovery period.
Gnarabup bar and bistro The Common hosted the event, with a selection of surfing memorabilia and autographed items going under the hammer.
Included in the fiercely contested auction were signed competition surfboards from John John Florence and Julian Wilson, as well as a Stephanie Gilmore rash vest and a commemorative surf photograph.
Remaining donated items were raffled with 500 tickets selling in the first hour and a half of the event, eventually reaching 700 tickets sold before the winners were announced.
37-year-old Travaglini was bitten three times by the 4 metre shark during a morning surf at Cobblestones surf break, north of Margaret River.
The attack saw Mr Travaglini rushed to Royal Perth Hospital by helicopter, where he underwent a number of surgeries for his injuries.
A further operation was carried out on Wednesday evening, and friends say Mr Travaglini will have a long road to recovery ahead.
“Alex will face an indefinite period off work and would like to use his recovery time to work with shark researchers to create deterrent devices,” said Monica Field in a statement on the Go Fund Me page set up for Mr Travaglini and his family.
“He is also hoping to work with experts in the field to study behaviour and find a solution to the increasing number of shark attacks.”
The Go Fund Me page has garnered more than $15,000 in donations since being launched on Tuesday, with many of the donors familiar names and businesses in the Margaret River region.
The funds will be used to help Mr Travaglini and his family cover living costs while he is off work, as well as future operations, physiotherapy, counselling and to fund transportation to Perth to visit specialists.
