They live in different states, but shearer James Barty and his 11-year-old cousin, Royce Ciampa, have a bond some would describe as “ewe-nique”.
Barty says they yarn about everything from shearing life, to country music, to motorbikes.
“He’s a bit cheeky,” says Barty, 20, of Royce. The pair chat regularly, be it online or at family get-togethers at Barty’s place in Bendigo or Royce’s home in Griffith in NSW.
“We’ve got a good bit of banter going on.”
Barty says it was devastating when Royce was diagnosed, at age six, with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a serious degenerative condition affecting muscle function.
Barty felt helpless to act, until he turned to what he knows – shearing.
From noon on November 27 until noon the next day, at a farm near Elmore in northern Victoria, Barty will shear sheep for 24 hours straight. He hopes to raise $75,000 for a new van for Royce.
Barty, a fifth generation shearer, has created a GoFundMe fundraising page for the 24-hour shearing attempt, called Shear For Royce .
Barty’s father, Rod Barty, a shearer for 34 years, says the project is “awesome”, and plans to shear alongside his son for the duration.
Rod likens the energy he’ll need to playing seven games of football, but says James is physically and mentally fit.
James and Rod will donate their combined $10,000 wages to the appeal.
They will take 15-minute breaks every two hours for salad rolls, water and lollies, and listen to songs by country singers Luke Combs and Garth Brooks.
Barty’s girlfriend, Mikhaela Scoble, will act as rouseabout – or “rousie” – and gather and sort wool.
After finishing on November 28, a celebration for the father and son will be held at Bendigo’s Strathfieldsaye Football Netball Club from 3pm.
Royce’s mother, Carly Ciampa, says James is “a beautiful soul”, and that the fundraiser is admirable and more meaningful than gathering donations.
She says it’s among many acts of kindness her family has received: last month, Carly’s sister, Laura Barty (James’ mother), organised a trivia night which raised $13,000 for Royce. James spoke at the event.
Ciampa says that at present, Royce has to be lifted from his wheelchair and carried to the seat of the family car, then carried to his wheelchair on arrival at each destination.
A new van will mean Royce can drive his wheelchair into the vehicle, making things easier for the family.
Ciampa and husband Clint sometimes drive Royce six hours to Sydney, as well as to Wagga Wagga and Narrandera, for appointments.
Ciampa says Royce looks up to James and is excited about being an assistant rousie for some of the 24-hour event.
“I think it means a lot to Royce that James is doing this, and that he’s acknowledging Royce, and how hard it can be for him, day to day,” Ciampa says.
“And that will be a reflection on James’ body when he’s shearing for 24 hours, pushing himself, like our boys (most people diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are male) have to do every single day.”
The 24-hour shear will be live-streamed on the Shear4Royce Facebook page .
You have reached your maximum number of saved items.
Remove items from your saved list to add more.
You've used all of your gift articles. 3 more will become available on the 1st of every month.
