Local and national businesses have united to donate auction items to support treatment for a young Whakatāne woman suffering with three Abdominal Vascular Compressions.

Twenty-three-year-old Rachel Weatherly, a former star football player, has been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Abdominal Vascular Compressions, which make eating extremely painful causing her to be severely malnourished.

After years battling for a diagnosis, Miss Weatherly and her family are now fundraising for surgery, which is unavailable in New Zealand but the only treatment option that will give her back a normal life.

The surgery will likely take place in Germany or Australia and is expected to cost between $70,000 and $150,000.

To boost the coffers, Nicholson Autos is holding a fundraising community event called Stand with Rachel on August 7, between 5.30pm and 7.30pm. The timing coincides with the launch of the new Kia Tasman.

In the lead up, they are auctioning donated goods on Trade Me, with all proceeds going to Miss Weatherly’s treatment.

The main item up for grabs is a VIP Warriors Game Day Experience for four, donated by GWM NZ.  The package offers four premium GWM front row seats at the Warriors’ stand-off game against the Eels on August 29 at Go Media Stadium, with complimentary food and drinks.

Dealer principal Francois du Toit said this package is “something you can’t buy”, and recommended people start putting their bids in online.

Other big items include a signed All Blacks World Cup Jersey, donated by Luke Jacobson, as well as a signed Silver Ferns Netball Shirt and a signed Wellington Phoenix shirt donated by Suzuki NZ.

Local businesses have been quick to support the event, with a Too Pretty handbag, an assortment of items from Repco, motorcross gear from Underwood Wilkins and a Stihl Shop Stihl GTA 26 Battery Pruner donated as auction items.

All items are up for bidding on Trade Me and can be accessed through the Nicholson Autos website – niccars.co.nz/rachel/.

Mr du Toit said the event on Thursday night was open to the community and people could RSVP via their website.

Everyone attending on the night will go into the draw to win the use of the new Kia Tasman for a month, along with a free Swanndri jacket.

Miss Weatherly said she and her family had been “continuously amazed” by the outpouring of local support.

“We are so lucky to be a part of this community here in Whakatāne. We are also super thankful for the companies who have helped contribute to raise funds.”

Other fundraisers concurrent include Bayleys Real Estate, which has been selling Wooden Christmas trees for the cause, coinciding with their Light Festival display. Trees are still available for purchase, with all proceeds going to Miss Weatherly’s Givealittle page.

Miss Weatherly’s former football club, Whakatāne AFC, has also been holding fundraisers, with one upcoming on Saturday, August 9. A garage sale, bake sale, sausage sizzle and raffle will be held at the football clubrooms.

Miss Weatherly’s dad, Pete Weatherly, said the family had been overwhelmed by the amount of local support.

“As parents, it makes us proud to see the town’s people and businesses supporting Rach. It’s really quite overwhelming, and sometimes quite hard to believe what’s happening. We are so privileged.”

To find out more or donate, visit the Nicholson Autos website or Ms Weatherly’s Givealittle page: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/please-help-rachel-get-another-chance-at-life-1.