Chance Peniongo tragically passed away on Wednesday, June 26, at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. Photos: Supplied
Echuca boy Chance Peniongo, 13, is being remembered for his kind and inclusive spirit following his sudden passing.
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Chance was a student at Australian Christian College and a former Echuca East Primary School student. He was a son, brother, uncle, grandson, cousin and friend to many.
He began to feel unwell at school on Thursday, June 20, and was collected by his mother, Regina. The next morning, Friday, June 21, Chance experienced seizures and was taken to Echuca Regional Health by ambulance, before being airlifted to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital in the afternoon.
Doctors informedhis family that evening that Chance had contracted acute necrotising encephalitis and was not showing any brain activity in scans.
Acute necrotising encephalitis is a rare brain disease that can occur following a viral infection like influenza A.
He was kept on life support from Friday, June 21, to Wednesday, June 26, but unfortunately, did not regain consciousness. This was particularly devastating for his family due to its sudden nature.
Chance passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 26, surrounded by family.
A funeral was held on Thursday, July 4, at noon at Robinvale Wesleyan Methodist Church to celebrate his life.
Chance after qualifying for the state level track and field championships.
Sarah Holman, an extended family member, created a GoFundMe for his family to help with the cost of his funeral and to give them time before returning to work and school.
Chance’s mother, Regina, described him as, “a young man of 13 who stood 5'9 tall with the biggest heart and who still had room to grow — whose body was not big enough for the love he had in his heart”.
Chance was a great sportsperson, playing basketball for the Warma Turtles and representing his primary school in athletics.
In 2023, he represented Echuca East Primary School at the Loddon Mallee regional track and field championships, placing first in the region and qualifying for state in the shot put event.
His former school raised $2600 in donations and $500 worth of gift cards and vouchers through its Casual Clothes Day fundraiser on Friday, June 28.
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