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Heartwarming Christmas surprise in Wallan

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Pam Kiriakidis
Pam Kiriakidis
Pam Kiriakidis has worked as a journalist at the North Central Review since 2022, with a particular focus on the City of Whittlesea and stories for the Whittlesea Review. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Media and Communications majoring in journalism and focuses on politics, community, and health with the occasional niche sports story finding its way in front of her.

It was a surprising Saturday morning for Wallan’s Janet Laffan, who had no idea what to expect when Benjamin Gregory presented her with a $4000 cheque in her living room.

Before the surprise, Ms Laffan was prepared for a photoshoot with ‘Joseph’ from ‘Photography4Life’. However, little did she know, it was Mr Gregory’s good friend and musician Aydan Calafiore who was behind the lens, channelling his inner faux photographer.

Their friend Peliza was also on hand, capturing B-roll footage of the special moment, which will appear on Mr Gregory’s show Coming Together Christmas.

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The moment captured saw Ms Laffan in shock, shedding a few tears as she was surrounded by family, who have stood by her side since she was diagnosed with stage four cancer in February.

Her two daughters, Ashleigh and Haylee, wanted to make this Christmas special for their mum.

Ms Laffan expressed that the surprise meant the world to her and her family.

“I had no idea what was going to happen,” she said.

“[They’re] such beautiful people. The whole group of them were great.

“It was so good to have the family all together, my girls and the grandchildren. [It was a] very special time.

“It means so much. [We’re]doing it hard [and] petrol, getting to the hospital appointments … that’s hard, so it’s going to be a big help.”

The cheque was made possible thanks to a generous donation from Hilltop Caravans, with Love in Action Wallan and Mr Gregory selecting Ms Laffan as the recipient.

Love in Action Wallan President Sarah Brewer said Ms Laffan was an obvious choice for the kind gesture.

“We knew that Janet was starting more treatment, and that the treatment she was on—the chemotherapy—had made her really sick, so she was trying something else,” she said.

“We knew that it was such a special time and a really important time for her family to get together this Christmas.”

Mr Gregory said it was his favourite time of the year to give back to a deserving person.

“Christmas is normally a time where sometimes you can be a little bit indulgent, and [Janet], she’s the complete opposite of that,” he said.

“To be able to give back to someone who’s really passionate about family, community, and the people that [she] surrounds herself with is really important.

“The main aspect of this, and on behalf of Hilltop Caravans, Love in Action, and myself, is to inspire other people to give back.”

Bendigo Bank’s community carols event will screen the heartfelt moment to audiences this Saturday in Hudson Park, Kilmore.

Coming Together Christmas will be broadcasted statewide on December 22 at 8pm on Channel 31.

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