A fundraiser has raised more than $81,000 for a Big Walnut student injured during the homecoming parade Friday.
According to the GoFundMe page, a Big Walnut student only identified as Kenny, 11, was injured during the parade when he fell to the ground and was run over by a float. He was transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital with serious life-threatening injuries.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol told 10TV on Friday that alcohol is not considered a factor in the accident, which is still under investigation.
The GoFundMe page is run by Christina Burton, Kenny’s aunt, and has been posting regular updates since Kenny’s injury. Burton wrote Friday that Kenny suffered facial bone fractures, a pelvis fracture, broken ribs and a laceration to his liver. Burton wrote on Facebook that Kenny was “critically stable” on Sunday.
According to the updates on the fundraiser page, Kenny is responding using hand motions and nodding.
Burton wrote that Kenny is cared for by her 65-year-old mother, Judy Ratcliff, who the fundraiser will benefit. Burton wrote that she wanted to provide financial relief to Ratcliff to allow her to care for Kenny.
The fundraiser had an initial goal of $1,000 but had amassed more than $80,000 for the family by Monday afternoon.
“THIS IS AMAZING,” Burton wrote on Facebook over the weekend. “Never in a million years would I expect this type of support. My mom can (breathe) a little and it’s all because of y’all! Thank you thank you thank you!”
Burton said a prayer vigil will be held in Sunbury soon, but a date has not yet been posted.
10TV reported that Big Walnut Superintendent Ryan McLane left a voicemail for district families asking them to send “positive vibes” to Kenny and his family as he recovers. McLane also reported that the district would have counselors available to students Monday to give them support, 10TV wrote.
“I want to thank our staff, students, and community members who were on the scene and assisted when the event happened, as well as the Delaware County EMS, BST&G Fire Department, the Sunbury Police Department, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol,” McLane said in a written statement to 10TV on Saturday.
The GoFundMe page can be found at https://gofund.me/6e6b1c9d.
Additionally, 92.3 WCOL wrote Monday morning on its Facebook page that 100% of the proceeds from an upcoming performance by country artist Drake Milligan will go towards helping Kenny and his family. The concert is scheduled to take place Thursday, Oct. 6, at Flannagan’s in Dublin. More information can be found at flannagans.com/event/.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol could not be reached for additional information by press time Monday.
