Guys, as many of you who follow the sport at a domestic level know, Shane Norford recently died in a terrible accident, leaving behind a very young family. Shane was from my hometown and fought anyone. Outside of the ring, he wouldn't harm a fly. You'd not meet a more passive guy. He was also a legendary tent boxer. His local MP, along with Jamie Myer (Jamie fought him in the amateurs and the pros) are organising a fundraiser for his family. The first meeting to plan this event took place tonight. It's hoped that memorabilia will be auctioned and corporate businesses will get involved to raise money for Shane's young family. If anyone has anything they'd like to donate, be it memorabilia, news clippings or photos of Shane PM me, or drop David Pahlke (the local MP) a line at: This content is protected . I'll post more news as it comes to light. It's hoped that this function will take place in December, in Ipswich. Perhaps some board members from SE Qld would like to attend. Shane's record: http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=28917&cat=boxer
Pregnant widow pleas for help August 19, 2008 By Yvonne Gardiner RACHAEL Norford held her husband Shane's hand as life slipped away from him. Mr Norford's tractor had flipped while he was moving a fallen tree on August 3 and he was trapped underneath. With five young children and another baby due in January, his 32-year-old widow has decided to tell her sorrowful story in the hope that she can gain help to stay on the eight-hectare Pine Mountain property that they she and Shane loved. Friends and family were present when the accident happened. "It was about 10 to two in the afternoon," Mrs Norford said. "We all tried to lift the tractor. "Shane was looking at me and I was holding his hand. "There was nothing we could do." When ambulance officers arrived, they said Mr Norford had died. The tractor was lifted from Mr Norford's body three hours after the ambulance arrived. "I truly believe, if we'd have got the tractor off, Shane would still be with us," Mrs Norford said. "I begged and begged (emergency service officers) to take the tractor off. "Shane died of asphyxiation. "He had four broken ribs - one of them punctured his lung - and a broken pelvis." Neighbour and friend Lindsay Harm also witnessed the fatal accident. "(Shane) must have only just died when (emergency services) arrived," Mr Harm said. "They told me it was too late, and said Workplace Health and Safety had to inspect. "I do believe they could have got the tractor off Shane and resuscitated him." Mrs Norford said her bank had helped her financial situation by freezing mortgage payments for now. Her 36-year-old husband's combined superannuation and accidental death benefit would only pay off about a quarter of her mortgage. "We didn't have a will so everything is frozen," she said. "I just don't want to lose this house." The Norfords moved on to their Brisbane Valley Highway property, dubbed Rachael's Ranch, in February. Mr Harm said the Norfords had borrowed heavily to buy their dream property. "Rachael, who is a fantastic mother to all five children, is now left with the burden of paying off the debt still owing on this property," Mr Harm said. "There is no way she wants to leave this property as this is where Shane lost his life, with her by his side." Mr Norford had been working as a builder's labourer before his death. His ambition was to gain his builder's ticket. "HE'D done farm work," Mr Harm said. "He was as strong as anything. "Me and Shane were inseparable. "I took a liking to the man from the day I met him. "He had work ethics. "He was a big gentle giant. "They were just a loving and caring family." Mrs Norford was working one day a week before the accident as a child care assistant. "I'd just like to see Rachael being looked after financially," Mr Harm said. "There's not a lot of avenues she can take. "She doesn't want to leave here (the property) and that's understandable. "Here she is left with this massive mortgage bill. "She's left with a $300,000 debt." A Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) spokesman said the accident was a tragic incident for all involved. "Shortly after paramedics arrived at the scene, the man unfortunately died," the spokesman said. "A decision was then made for safety reasons not to remove the tractor until the arrival of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. "QAS offers its deepest sympathy to the family." Anyone willing to help the Norford family should call QT reporter Yvonne Gardiner on 3817 1742 or email This content is protected .
Locals help widow make ends meet October 01, 2008 By Yvonne Gardiner PINE Mountain widow Rachael Norford has been overwhelmed with donations since the story of her tragic loss was revealed in the QT on August 19 (pictured right). Mrs Norford, pregnant with her sixth child, held her husband Shane's hand as he died on August 3. He had been crushed under his tractor, which flipped over as he moved a fallen tree. Friends and family started up an appeal for Mrs Norford and her children, who were in a desperate financial state and faced losing their home. "I'd like to thank everyone who's helped me," Mrs Norford said yesterday. "People have been so good and helpful. "I've had people dropping stuff in. It's amazing. "A neighbour fixed the tractor up and I've sold that. "We haven't got much left to sell." The Norford family will also collect $2000 for a story about their tragedy to appear in Woman's Day magazine on November 17. They have so far received no superannuation or death cover payout as a result of Mr Norford's accident. Letter writers to the QT have suggested that Mrs Norford subdivide her eight hectares to help her financial situation. She said subdivision was not allowed under council regulations and she could not contemplate selling the land that her husband had worked so hard on. Donations can be given to the Rachael Norford Appeal at any Bendigo Bank branch, account number 633-000 134659184.
