On the evening of July 3rd at 7 p.m., the Hayward family — parents and their two young children — were sitting in their Cole Harbour home when their lives were violently disrupted. A drunk driver, operating a stolen vehicle, tore through their front yard and smashed into their parked van, ramming it repeatedly before fleeing the scene.

This horrifying event took place in a quiet residential neighbourhood full of young families. Just minutes before, the Haywards’ children had been playing in the exact spot the vehicle demolished. It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was killed or seriously injured.

After fleeing, the driver attempted to hide the stolen car in a backyard nearby in a cowardly attempt to evade responsibility. He is now in custody, but justice for the Haywards is proving to be a complex and costly road.

Why They Need Our Help!

Despite the clear trauma and damage caused, the Haywards have been told this will likely become a civil matter — simply because it happened on private property. To recover full damages, they would need to sue the drunk driver, who has no insurance, no assets, and is currently in jail.

Their insurance will only cover part of their totaled vehicle, leaving them with a significant loan and no means of transportation — all while trying to raise two young children in a world that’s already economically challenging.

Nova Scotians Deserve Better!

Most of us are doing our best to survive rising costs, inflation, and day-to-day struggles. To be violated like this — in the safety of your own home — is something no one can or should plan for. This family did nothing wrong. And now they are left with deep emotional and financial wounds from someone else’s reckless choices.

Let’s Rally Together

If you are someone who values safety, peace, and justice — whether you're a parent, a neighbour, or simply someone who believes in doing right by others — we ask that you please consider donating to this GoFundMe and sharing it with your network.

No amount is too small. Every gesture helps lighten the load for a family who didn’t deserve any of this.

Let’s show the Haywards that their community sees them, stands with them, and believes they deserve better.

❤️ Thank you for your support.