Administrators of the Greek Australian Support Network (GASN), a Facebook group designed to help Greeks migrating to Australia, took it upon themselves in August to start a fundraiser for the Alexiou family. A recently arrived migrant family, Mrs Athanasia Mazarkidou passed away in April this year, leaving behind her husband and two young daughters.

The initiative run through the GASN Facebook page received an overwhelming response in just a short period, raising $5,500. Mayor of Mannigham City Council and member of the GASN Jim Grivas expressed the community’s concern for the girls’ future.

“A number of people got together to ensure the girls were being looked after from an education perspective, to ensure that they had some funds that could continue their education. That was important for us,” Grivas told Neos Kosmos.

Having set up a trust account, those wanting to donate were able to directly deposit money for the Alexiou family, ensuring that both girls would be able to attend Oakleigh Grammar. A cheque was collected on behalf of the family by president of the Greek Community of Oakleigh Mr Aggelos Sardellis.

To date the Alexiou family has received over $40,000 in generous donations from sources across the Greek-Australian community, including the church and parents from Oakleigh Grammar.