A fundraising effort to help a local boy injured in a motocross accident has raised thousands of dollars through an online auction.
The Austin Motz recovery auction has raised more than $8,000 for the 15-year-old Smithers resident injured in a race in early June.
“The community has again come to the needs of someone locally, it’s amazing,” said Denise Mott, whose son, Arthur, created the Facebook page. “I know his family has sent out texts and emails saying they really truly appreciate it.”
All the money will be donated to Motz and his family for recovery and to help pay family bills.
“He’s going to have a bit of a healing time [in Vancouver] and therapy, so he can stay down there as long as he needs to get the best therapy that he can,” said Denise.
People donated items from meals and cakes, to helmets and items for mechanical work.
Seventeen-year-old Arthur, who has been managing the Facebook page and answering emails said Austin liked the outdoors.
“He was an adventure kid, he likes going outdoors and exploring. He just likes hanging out with his friends,” said Arthur, adding that Austin cared a lot about his three other siblings as well.
Arthur said he understands how hard recovering from injury can be, having suffered one himself.
“I remember when I broke my ankle, my mom was here but she could only stay here for a few days before we ran out of money and she had to go back to work,” he said. “I just thought that’s probably going to happen to them, so why not raise some money for them?”
According to Denise, Austin remains in the ICU at BC Children’s Hospital, but is already making a speedy recovery.
“He’s made leaps and bounds —more than doctors even thought. There’s been situations when he’s been talking and the doctors would sit there with their jaws and be like ‘wow,’” she said. “He’s surpassing a lot of things that doctors originally expected.”
“[The family] seems to be doing good. Obviously it’s a stressful time but I think they’re very positive and have good family support,” Denise added.
All items in the auction can be dropped off and picked up from Nordan Equipment in Telkwa from Monday to Saturday between 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.