My name is Charlie & as Gavin’s aunt, my heart is absolutely broken writing this. Yesterday, just three short weeks into starting his “big school” journey, Gavin got on the bus and none of us could have imagined that by the end of that ride, he would need to be sent to the IWK after being stabbed in the eye with a pencil by another child.

Gavin has always been such a tough little guy, but knowing he’s going through this kind of pain is something no family should have to face. He had surgery last night and, while the doctors and nurses at the IWK have been incredible, this is only the beginning. He has a long road ahead with more surgeries to come and the uncertainty of what his eyesight recovery will look like.

I’m creating this fundraiser to help support my sister and her partner as they juggle the enormous challenges ahead. Traveling back and forth to Halifax for appointments and surgeries, taking time off work, and still needing to care for Gavin and their 5 month old baby girl is a heavy load.. emotionally and financially. My hope is that this fund can ease some of that burden so they can put all their energy where it belongs: on Gavin’s healing and being present for both of their children.

Any help, no matter how big or small, means the world to us. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with Gavin, his incredibly strong parents and our family through this difficult time.