A fundraiser to support a 22-year old Thunder Bay man who suffered a severe spinal cord injury is Saturday.
Family and friends of Nolan Connelly are putting the event on at the Wayland Bar and Grill, with a live band, as well as prizes including tickets to Country on the Bay this summer.
Organizers say Nolan was bouncing on a trampoline in July, when he broke his neck, leaving him with only the use of his arms. Money raised from the benefit will support travel costs to Toronto for spinal rehabilitation, as well as major house renovations to include the use of a wheelchair. Nolan was in his last year of Kinesiology at Lakehead University when the accident happened.
Other prizes from the benefit include gift certificate for Delta Hotel, a hockey jersey signed by Thunder Bay native and NHL goalie Carter Hutton, and a New York Rangers jersey signed by Marc Staal and his teammates.
Imagine… in a SPLIT SECOND, an unsuspecting accident takes away your ability to move independently and you are told you will be “lucky” to feed yourself and will “never” walk again. Our friend, family member and brother Nolan Connelly suffered a serious spinal cord injury while enjoying spending quality time with family on July 29th. He has spent the last 4 months at Lyndhurst Centre in Toronto for spinal rehabilitation. As is the case with all spinal injuries there is no definitive prognosis at this time. However, Nolan’s medical team is optimistic that with hard work and perseverance that he will live as a high functioning paraplegic. However, with love, support and Nolan’s determination the sky is the limit. Here’s what YOU can do to HELP! Nolan’s friends and family are requesting donations from local business to support his upcoming benefit fundraiser at the Paulucci’s Wayland Bar & Grill on Saturday, January 11th, 2020. We are asking today for your help in supporting Nolan and his family throughout his journey. This will be a long road to recovery and wellness for the Connelly family. All donations will be used for the raffle portion of the benefit with all money raised to pay for travel costs (to the Lyndhurst Centre in Toronto), retrofitting of the Connelly residence for Nolan to access daily necessities and much needed medical equipment required for Nolan’s journey to recovery. Anyone that has met Nolan (or his family) knows he would take the shirt off his back or is the first one to lend a hand to someone in need. It is OUR time to pay this kindness and generosity forward! We truly appreciate any donation in kind. If you are able to give, please contact: Jackie Werys, T: 807-708-4491, E: jawerys@gmail.com or Ryan Hill, T: 807-251-1242, E: ryan.hill@thunderenterprises.ca ALL donors will be recognized during the benefit and through the Facebook event page; Nolan’s Journey Benefit.
