If you want to get an important message of love and support to someone you care deeply about, what better way to do it than by gathering a crowd on a beach early on Valentine's Day to form the words "Get well Glenn!".
People flocked to Elouera beach at 7.30am to join the photo shoot and send a heartfelt message to Caringbah resident and television and radio personality Glenn Wheeler who is recovering in hospital after a road accident in January.
Messages of support for him and his family have poured in since, but friend Rob Stanley-Jones and shire residents decided to spell it out in a bigger way.
They put out a call for people to gather at Elouera Surf Life Saving Club and form the message with their bodies while a helicopter flew Leader chief photographer John Veage over to get photos.
Mr Wheeler's family members were also on the beach to watch.
FAMILY THANKS
Mr Wheeler’s son Dane told media he was ‘‘overwhelmed by the turnout’’.
‘‘We knew how big a network of friends he had through the community and his charity work but this was something else,’’ he said.
Daughter Abigail said it was an ‘‘amazing tribute’’.
‘‘Obviously, we know how much he does for the community but to see that many people turn up to support him was something else,’’ she said.
‘‘The whole thing just went so smoothly and the aerial photo came out great. It’ll be great for Dad to see when he wakes up.’’
Wheeler remains unconscious in a stable condition in the intensive care unit.
‘‘He is yet to wake up but is showing really positive signs and is able to move his hands and fingers, so it’s small steps, but we’re optimistic,’’ Ms Wheeler said.
‘‘He’s too strong to give up. It’s just a waiting game.’’
An ecstatic Rob Stanley-Jones, who spent three days pulling the event together via phone calls and a flurry of emails, said he still "had goosebumps" about the "absolutely fantastic event" that once again highlighted that special shire spirit.
"The term community spirit can be a bit cliched these days but this was really the epitome of it, so many people coming together to help," he said.
"Glenn Wheeler pretty much epitomises that community spirit in Australia.
"Someone joked that if Glenn was here he probably would have wanted the message a bit bigger."
He estimated 1500 to 2000 people turned up, though crowd figures were still being tallied.
"There were about 100 people per letter and there were 13 letters [including the exclamation mark] so at least 1500. It may be closer to 2000."
He said the generousity of everyone involved was "mind blowing" with people donating their time and resources; including the helicopter operator and Drones Australia sending three drone cameras up in the helicopter to record a video that was played on the big screen at Elouera Surf Life Saving Club.
And what inspired him to take on such a big challenge in a tiny time frame?
‘‘I drove past the crash site and on the street pole it said 'Get well soon' Glenn,’’ Mr Stanley-Jones said.
‘‘I thought wouldn’t it be nice to have the whole shire saying that to him.
‘‘He has touched a lot of people’s lives whether you know him or not.’’
He was taken to St George Hospital where he had surgery on his pelvis and leg and placed in an induced coma.
The woman driving the wagon was charged with negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm. She was granted bail to appear in Sutherland Local Court on February 19.
In a post on his Facebook page earlier this week, brother Andy Wheeler said Glenn was being taken out of the induced coma.
‘‘He remains asleep although the medication for the induced coma has been switched off and his vital signs remain good,’’ the statement said.
‘‘All that remains now is for him to wake up as soon as his body is ready to 'boot up' and we will know so much more.’’
See more in Tuesday's Leader.
Leave your message of support for Glenn Wheeler and his family below.
