He had never met Wil. But it was Wil’s plight, reported in The Courier, and his battle for funding so he may receive palliative care at home got Mr Carra thinking what he could do.

Mr Carra said plenty of people were pledging money but actually following through was a different matter. He called on his friend, author and technology guru Steve Sammartino. Within two weeks, the pair pieced together two functions for one day – a morning talk in Port Melbourne, then a Ballarat luncheon – and that afternoon could deliver Wil a cheque for $5000.

The donation gives Wil peace of mind. He can now cover a pre-paid funeral.

Wil has Friedreich’s Ataxia, a rare genetic nervous system disorder that affects his movement, sight and speech and causes serious heart problems. The 40-year-old is now legally blind and confined to a wheelchair. He also has severe sleep apnoea that requires overnight carers. The past three weeks, he has rapidly lost strength in his neck muscles and is struggling to hold his head high.

Mr Carra and Mr Sammartino were honoured to finally meet Wil, sharing his love in music – particularly Jimmy Barnes – and Mr Sammartino’s love for writing. They were amazed this was a man who had bungee jumped, an adrenaline sport neither wished to try.

“It really was nice to meet him and good to see the man behind the cause,” Mr Carra said. “It really struck a chord with me, actually seeing Wil.”

Mr Carra and Mr Sammartino used their strengths to create the function – Mr Sammartino delivered a talk on the ways technology is changing the way we live and work, with a business focus. Mr Carra, who does business in Ballarat, promoted the functions in his property circles. Short preparations meant the duo sold tables, rather than individual tickets, and Mr Sammartino donated more than $640 from books he sold on the day.

“The hard thing is, there are a lot of people like Wil needing help. This was a way we could help. If you offer value in return – great insight in technology – people are generally more willing to donate time and money,” Mr Carra said.

Better Care Disabilties' Miranda Van Egmond said Wil’s Go Fund me campaign, including extra donations from Mr Carra’s initiative, had raised enough money for his burial and plot. Ms Van Egmond said urgent funding was still needed to give Mr Hobbs the 24 hour care he required, otherwise he would be forced to move into a nursing home in about five to six months’ time – let alone his determined bid to hit the gym again for more physiotherapy.