The motivation behind 2023’s top GoFundMe campaign

When Tony and Lynn Ottobre lost their daughter Jenni to brain cancer in 2015, their lives were turned upside down.

The Victorian racehorse owners suddenly faced a new normal and had to work out how to navigate the path forward.

So when leading jockey Dean Holland died in a tragic riding accident in April this year – leaving behind his wife and four children – the story hit a nerve with Mr Ottobre and he felt the need to help.

He scoured the internet for a fundraiser to show his support in a tangible way.

When he saw there was nothing in the hours after the news broke, he decided to take matters into his own hands and create one.

Within hours donations poured in and eventually the fundraiser became the top GoFundMe page for the year with more than $1.95 million in donations – an indication that Holland's story resonated with Australians.

"It's a very rare occasion that a jockey dies in a race, this doesn't happen very often," Ottobre said.

"I knew he was married with kids, I just didn't know he had four kids under five.

"I'm in my 60s, you used to pass a hat around at the pub to help."

Ottobre described the generosity shown to the fundraiser as "extraordinary" and thanked everyone for their kindness.

"We are forever grateful to be a part of a village that cares for its own," he told donors.

These supporters are far from alone with GoFundMe revealing that Australians helped each other at record levels this year.

Earlier in the year it was announced that one-in-five Australians made a donation on the platform, collectively donating 9.2 million times and raising $820 million for local and international causes.

Queensland was the most generous state this year with Bundaberg, Toowoomba and Hervey Bay among the top cities.

Western Australia was the second most generous state, with Mandurah and Bunbury leading the way for donations.