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Fundraising for Kelly Brooks and family

Community support required as Kimberley man faces long rehab after accident
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Friends of Kelly Brooks are asking for community support.

On the evening of October 26, Kelly Brooks, a longtime resident of the Kimberley area, was injured in a single vehicle accident where he sustained a serious spinal injury. Kelly was immediately flown by Air Ambulance to Vancouver General Hospital where he received spinal surgery. He will continue his recovery and rehabilitation at the Spinal Unit at VGH, and eventually at GF Strong.

Family friend Anette Hagman says Kelly’s wife Carolyn has joined him in Vancouver, where he faces several months of rehab.

“While it is impossible to make a prognosis at this point, there are some positive and encouraging indications. Be assured that the quality of skill and knowledge of Kelly’s caregivers is nothing short of outstanding. Kelly and Carolyn are grateful for the outpouring of support and love from Kelly’s community of friends, colleagues, and of course his loving family who look forward to the day that Kelly can return home.”

In the meantime, however, there is limited income coming in. Carolyn has had to take  leave from her job to be at Kelly’s side. Hagman has launched a fundraising campaign on Go Fund Me (gofundme.com/Kellybrooksrecovery). She is also exploring other ways to raise funds for medical and living expenses, including reaching out to the local auto industry.

Kelly Brooks worked at Melody Motors, beginning in 1993 until this past February, when he left to go into a business of his own. But everyone at Melody Motors loves him and owner Jim Chale says they want to help.

“He is so important to us, so well-loved,” Chale said. “My staff has already come up with $1000 out of their pockets and the dealership will match it. And we’re just getting started.”

Chale says all kinds of fundraising ideas are being discussed. The first is that Melody Motors will contribute $25 to the Kelly Brooks fund for every test drive for the next month. He hopes other local dealers might want to get on board, given how popular and well-known Kelly is in the industry, and indeed all over town.

“We are heartbroken. Kelly is so well-liked. Very few people don’t know him.

“He’s not gong to be able to make a living and will be in Vancouver for about eight months. His wife will have to give up her career to take care of him. We would sure like to provide of level of comfort financially so he can just worry about the recovery he has to get through.”

Hagman says she is in the process of setting up a trust account at the Kimberley RBC and getting donation jars out around town. In the meantime, the Go Fund Me campaign has already raised almost $7,000 in just a few days.

“Kelly’s got friends everywhere. Everybody knows him. Thank you in advance for all your help and healing thoughts.”

 



Carolyn Grant

About the Author: Carolyn Grant

I have been with the Kimberley Bulletin since 2001 and have enjoyed every moment of it.
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