CARLI BERRY
news@pqbnews.com
The Rod and Gun will be holding a Beer and Burger fundraiser for a local boy who has been diagnosed with brain cancer, said Micki Findlay, co-ordinator for the fundraiser.
The three-year-old boy, Samuel Naylor, is receiving chemotherapy at B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver after surgery that removed part of a cancerous tumour that was wrapped around his brain stem, Findlay said.
“No one wants to see a little child suffer like that,” said Monica Duncan, godmother to Samuel.
Tickets for the fundraiser are $20 and can be purchased at Soak Essentials in Parksville and at Borealis Hair, Nail & Body Studio in Qualicum Beach.
The fundraiser will also have a silent auction, giveaways and a 50/50 draw, Findlay said. The event is on Sunday, July 19 from 2-6 p.m.
Duncan said she got the idea to raise funds for Samuel after seeing Samuel’s health deteriorate and seeing his parents’ reactions.
“I could see the look in (his father’s) eyes that said I don’t know what to do next,” Duncan said.
Samuel’s parents, Marie and John, are actively involved in their community and deserve a chance for their community to give them support, Findlay said.
Marie and John have volunteered their time at the Society of Organized Services with the children’s program and both help out at the Salvation Army, Findlay said.
“They make a difference and so we felt like it’s time now to ask the community what can they help with… to make their (the Naylors) lives easier through a difficult time,” Findlay said.
Findlay said Samuel is not the only one in the family with health issues — three of the five children have serious health issues.
Their goal is to reach at least $15,000, Duncan said, adding it is an ongoing process and they are unsure of what their ultimate goal will be.
“Our real goal is not to have them worry that ‘we can’t help our children because we don’t have enough money.'”
Duncan said they have received positive feedback from the community: “The community can’t be more helpful,.”
There are tin cans to donate for Samuel in local businesses and a TD Bank account has also been set up under Samuel Naylor and John Naylor for people to donate across the country.
Find out more about Samuel Naylor at GoFundMe.com/samuelnaylor or visit his Facebook page at facebook.com/samuelnaylorfundraiser.
