Help Bring Sunshine Back! Support for Ayden.

My name is Viktoria Strudwick, and I am organizing this fundraiser for a dear friend of mine, Ayden Harding, and his family, who could use your support and prayers at this time. My family and I had the incredible privilege of living next door to the Hardings for almost two decades. We would always have parties, playing Just Dance, singing and dancing, and traveling together. Still, they were also in those times of need. The Hardings have been there for us in many ways; words cannot express what they mean to our family.

Unfortunately, on May 2nd, 2024, in Lakeland, Ayden was driving back from a baseball game at Mckeel Academy, and he was involved in a severe and life-threatening car accident. While we are so grateful he is alive, he has sustained substantial traumatic injuries to his head. He has been in a coma for over a week now.

Ayden is sunshine—literal sunshine to everyone he is around. Those who know him know he is genuinely a joy to be with, from his goofy personality to his strong faith, persistence, determination when he wants to achieve whatever he puts his mind to, and his love of LIFE. He has an innate caring nature about him. Ever since childhood, he did whatever he could to help others and make them smile. His friends can attest that this is still true of him today.

Ayden was supposed to walk across the stage on May 13th to receive his hard-earned diploma from Mckeel Academy. Still, instead, he finds himself in a hospital bed, fighting to recover from this devastating, incomprehensible tragedy. Due to the uncertainty during this time, the gravity of his injuries, and the definite long road to recovery as he continues his fight in the ICU, we are reaching out to you, our community, for support.

My wish for this fundraiser is that all the people involved in Ayden's life come together to provide solace and shine some light on the Harding Family during this challenging time, allowing them to focus on what truly matters: Ayden's recovery. 

Every dollar counts, and every gesture of kindness brings us closer to our goal of seeing Ayden laugh again with his infectious laugh and returning that sunshine to our lives. I know that together, we can make it happen.

Thank you for your compassion and generosity!