Community rallies behind injured farmer

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Community support is growing for the family of a young Udora farmer who was severely injured in a farm accident last week.

Friends say Ryan Fawns, 31, was helping a neighbour bale hay when a tractor rolled over him. He was taken by air ambulance to St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.

Gerrit Herrema, a lifelong friend, said he understands Fawns suffered spinal injuries and is expected to be in hospital "for a while." Herrema described Fawns, the father of a four-year-old son and an infant, as "a stand-up guy and a big part of the community."

Deanne Sweet has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Fawns and his wife, Casie, to help meet expenses the family now faces. Sweet said Fawns faces months of rehabilitation and therapy and is unlikely to walk without medical advancement and rehabilitation. Latest reports show $26,000 of the current $70,000 goal was raised from 160 donors in the first day. As of Tuesday afternoon, almost 300 people had donated to the cause, and almost $50,000 had been raised.

In a post on a local Facebook page, Casie wrote: "Just one thing that is very overwhelming is thinking what it will take to make our house accessible."

Friend Dick Ott is also organizing an auction to help raise funds for the family. The auction is to be held at the Uxbridge Sales Barn on Sept. 21, and Ott is asking people to donate items to be auctioned. Ott can be reached at dick@huntsafe.ca or by phone at 416-885-4762.