Mallee couple thank their caring community

The couple were driving home to Luke's farm near Kringin, between Pinnaroo and Loxton, to inspect their canola crop, when they were hit by another car.

They were on their way to check whether the timing of the crop's flowering would work in with photographs for the wedding they were planning for September 2014.

But the crash left Elise a quadriplegic and Luke with both feet, his hip and his pelvis broken, and severe facial injuries which required both eye sockets to be rebuilt.

At the time, Elise was studying optometry at university in Adelaide. Her studies - and the wedding - had to be put on hold.

The couple are still working on their recovery, with doctor's appointments almost daily, and they need to be close to medical specialists, in Adelaide, but look forward to returning to the farm.

While their medical costs are covered under insurance, both have been unable to work for 18 months, and have been living on their savings.

The fundraising Pinnaroo Fun Run, Walk or Roll started as an idea about six months ago, along with a raffle.

Elise said there were originally "a few murmurs" about fundraising ideas before committee leader Bec Neijalke started to turn the idea into a reality.

"(Bec) jumped on board and powered on - she was amazing," she said.

The week before the fun run several local schools became involved, including the Pinnaroo, Geranium and Lameroo primary schools, taking part in a walkathon and raising about $8000 for the couple, covering a collective 730 kilometres.

Lameroo Primary School students have also written poems for Luke and Elise.

The fun run's 260 participants either ran or walked the 3km, 5km or 10km course of their choice.

All had sponsors and ranged in age from a one-month-old baby pushed in a pram to a sprightly 85-year-old.

At the end of the day, Bec presented a cheque for $25,750 to Elise and Luke.

There was also a raffle with donated trips on houseboats, to Victor Harbor and interstate as prizes.

Elise is regaining some movement in her hands to the point she can pursue one of her favourite pastimes - painting. She works by holding the brush between the knuckles of her index and middle finger.

One of her paintings was a prize in the raffle. Her work can be seen at www.unlimitedfunctionart.com

She said there was a family-feel to the day because of the support from the town.

"Pinnaroo is one big family - when it happened there was so much support, not just for me but for my parents.

"We had farmers ready to help with the harvest so my parents could be in Adelaide (with us)."

For Luke, who grew up in Vic before he moved to Pinnaroo and met Elise, it was also a chance to meet the townsfolk.

"I got to put faces to the names I've heard of," he said.

There was also support from outside the region, with people driving from Adelaide and interstate to take part.

Luke and Elise said there were still some difficulties in their day-to-day lives but they preferred to look at the positives.

"One of the good things that have come out of it is the people that we've met," Elise said.