FMR LIBERAL CANDIDATE ORGANISES D’PORT FUNDRAISER
COUPLE’S MARRIAGE PLANS UNDERWAY

The generosity of hundreds of ordinary people around the world will see a Tasmanian couple fulfil their dream of legally marrying.

Lee Bransden and Sandra Yates want to legally marry before Lee’s death from a terminal illness but they are both pensioners and unable to self-fund a trip to New Zealand to wed.

Now, their dream will come true thanks to a crowdfunding campaign that took only two days to raised enough to fly them from their home in Devonport to Rotorua in New Zealand.

Sandra Yates said, “Lee and I are just so grateful and humbled by the generosity and kind words of so many people. This has given Lee a real boost.”

“We have now started to plan what will be the last great adventure of our lives together.”

Now, Australian Marriage Equality wants to build on the success of the funding campaign to provide Lee and Sandra with a reception and a short honeymoon.

AME national director, Rodney Croome, said,

“AME wants to turn the injustice of this couple being forced to marry in another country into a beautiful, trans-Tasman celebration of love and commitment.”

“I know there will be many marriage equality supporters who feel the same.”

The new target for Lee and Sandra’s marriage fundraising campaign will be $15,000. Already, nearly $10,000 has been raised.

Lee and Sandra’s local community have also rallied around them with Liberal Party 2013 election candidate, Kyron Howell, organising a fundraising event in Devonport.

Mr Howell said, “If two people love and care for each other like Lee and Sandra they deserve the right to declare that love joyously, publicly and legally”.

“We’ve called the fundraiser, ‘By Your Side’, to highlight the love and commitment in Lee and Sandra’s relationship, and community support for their right to marry.”

“I urge Devonport to show the world we are a generous, inclusive and compassionate community by backing this fundraiser.”

The “By Your Side” fundraiser for Lee and Sandra is at 7.30pm on May 29th at the Waterfront Function Centre, 17 Devonport Road, Devonport.

To visit the fundraising page for Lee and Sandra or to make a donation go to www.gofundme.com/t5dq26pw
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome