GUELPH-ERAMOSA – A family friend of a local burn victim has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to support the victim and his family.
On Dec. 2 a fire on the Eramosa-Erin Townline just north of Highway 7 sent Terence Saunders to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, where he remains in stable condition in the burn unit, explained family friend Rob Teal, the initiator of the GoFundMe page.
Teal said he created the page “knowing that there would be immediate expenses that are incurred any time there is a medical situation, whether it be meals, parking, hotels, etc.”
The fire took place in a detached garage on property belonging to Saunders’ mother and stepfather.
At the time of the fire, Guelph-Eramosa deputy fire chief Jim Petrik explained that a person was working on a vehicle and there was an explosion.
Two other people were also injured in the fire. Teal said one of those victims has been released from hospital and receives outpatient care for burns to his hands and face, while the other victim remains in hospital.
The scene was investigated by the Ontario Fire Marshal but has since been released to Saunders’ mother and stepfather, Teal said.
As of Dec. 11 the GoFundMe page had reached $8,940 of a $15,000 goal, though Teal said he has no intention of closing the page.
All of the money goes to Saunders’ wife, Tracy Toth-Saunders, for, “Anything the family needs while they’re with Terence,” Teal said.
“Whatever he needs; if there’s anything not covered by medical policies or anything like that in the future.
“Just helping them stay on their feet.”
Teal explained a bank account has been made for Toth-Saunders and any donation made to the GoFundMe page will be transferred to that account for immediate use within 24 hours.
“It’s a small town, everyone chips in when there’s something bad that happens,” he said.
Donate at www.gofundme.com/saunders-family-relief.
