It’s why the Westport Club will host a fundraiser for her on August 6 in an attempt to soften the blow to her family’s hip pocket.

Community and sports manager Jenny Edmunds said it was important for the local area to get behind their Olympians as they have with Ryley Batt and James Magnussen.

“A number of expenses are not covered by the Australian Olympic Commission (AOC) or Swimming Australia so it is up to the family to pick up the slack,” she said.

“Paige is an inspirational girl and we need to raise enough money for her so she can do things like keep in contact with her family as she will be away from them for five weeks.”

“We want to raise enough money to buy her a tablet or a laptop so she can do that.”

Edmunds said funding for Olympic team psychologists were also not covered and the teenager would need to have consultations while she was over in Rio.

“She’s done amazingly well to represent her country and we all need to help out because that’s what we do.”

In Edmunds’ role as sports manager at the Westport Club she is “really lucky” to get to know about fundraisers such as the one planned for August 6.

“Even though she swims at Taree she’s a Port Macquarie girl and we want to see her succeed,” Edmunds said.

Tickets must be purchased for $50 before the night from the Westport Club reception desk.

The aim is to raise $15,000.

To donate, head to https://www.gofundme.com/paigeforrio

For further information email Jenny Edmunds at jedmunds@thewestportclub.com.au.