Hughesdale resident, Alexandros Alexiou disputes recent suggestions made regarding his family and funds raised by the Greek Australian Support Network (GASN) and the Greek Community of Oakleigh.
A story published in Neos Kosmos’ English edition on Saturday 11 October 2014, entitled ‘GASN raises $5,500 for Alexiou family’ states that the GASN, a Facebook-run support network for newly arrived Greeks to Australia, started a fundraiser for the Alexiou family.
However, Mr Alexiou believes such statements to be misleading, and would like to clarify that his family has not directly received any money through the fundraising initiatives.
After recently arriving to Australia with their two daughters, Mr Alexiou’s wife Ms Athanasia Mazarakidou tragically passed away.
With their eldest daughter attending Oakleigh Grammar at the time on concessional financial terms, the community, aware of their financial hardships rallied behind the family to assist them in their time of need.
Neos Kosmos spoke to president of the Greek Community of Oakleigh, Mr Angelo Sardellis, regarding the matter.
“The community assisted by moving and housing the family in a flat behind the church at concessional rates offered to assist those in need and the elderly,” Mr Sardellis told Neos Kosmos.
By helping to relocate the family to a convenient location, the Alexiou family was provided community support during their time of need and a convenient means for the children to attend school.
“The community also offered to alleviate Mr Alexiou and the family from the burden of funeral costs and educational costs by organising a fundraiser – an offer greatly appreciated by Mr Alexiou and the family,” said Mr Sardellis.
The article also claimed that a cheque was collected on behalf of the Alexiou family by Mr Sardellis from the GASN, for the sum of $5,500; however, Mr Alexiou states that he never authorised anybody to act on behalf of his family.
Aside from covering the costs of his wife’s funeral, the remainder of the money raised is in a trust account, created solely to cover future education costs of Mr Alexiou’s two young daughters.
“Over $40,000 was collected in the form of funds and goods and services donated, which fully covered the costs of Athanasia’s funeral and burial,” Mr Angelo Sardellis told Neos Kosmos.
“The remainder of the money has been placed in a separate charitable trust bank account, which will be used for the sole purpose of the meeting the children’s educational costs.”