Over R350 000 has been raised for Darryn August, a 27-year-old man who was stabbed and thrown from a train by robbers after coming to the defence of a pregnant woman on his carriage.
Darryn’s friend Nadine Van Eeeden contacted GoodThingsGuy to promote a crowdfunding campaign created by Graeme Dale Kuys… his pledge is to do an “Everest Ride” to raise funds for Darryn’s rehabilitation, and initially hoped to raise R50 000 via Everest For August.
“We want to raise funds to assist him in his recovery and to show support for his bravery. What better way than to spend 15 hours riding a bicycle up and down a mountain. All are welcome to join in for a picnic or even to do some cycling,” Kuys said on Everest for August.
GoodThingsGuy reported on the story on Saturday with the fund starting at R10 000. 24 hours later the article had been read over 200 000 times and the fund had raised over R250 000 and gone international, with many from around the world pledging in US dollars.
August, originally from Athlone, was on his way to Somerset West last Monday where he works as a facilitator and teaches homeless children.
He and four other commuters were in a carriage when nine men boarded and robbed the passengers near Firgrove station. Darryn told a cousin that a heavily pregnant woman was among those being terrorised.
His brother Bernard told News sites that Darryn tried to talk the robbers out of it.
“It’s not in his nature to stand back and do nothing. If he sees something bad going down, he would always step in,” he said.
“But when he tried to intervene, one of the guys hit him with a crowbar. He tried to get up but he was stabbed in the head with a knife,” he said. “Darryn lost consciousness for a few minutes and when he came to, he was being tossed out of the train.”
The 27-year-old hit a tree before he landed, breaking his spine.
While the robbers had taken his iPad, ID and some money, they hadn’t seen his cellphone in a side pocket of his backpack.
“As he lay there, he phoned emergency services before he passed out. He was found still lying there three hours later by a maintenance worker who also phoned for assistance.”
Darryn also suffered two collapsed lungs but fortunately escaped without any brain damage, Bernard said. He underwent three-hour spinal surgery on Thursday, but the prognosis remains bleak.
“We were told he has a zero chance of using his legs again. He is currently still drowsy because of the morphine, but we are here for him. Recovery is possible. God will make the final decision.”
Well known News24 journalist, Jennifer Sanasie, also got to sit down with Darren in an incredible interview. Watch the video via her Twitter account below.
WATCH: 15 days later, #DarrynAugust remembers that fateful day: https://t.co/x5SNDH7ild pic.twitter.com/9j2BH0nEHB
— Jennifer Sanasie (@JennSanasie) May 10, 2016
Donations are still pouring in… and followers on the Facebook page are sending messages of hope!
As of Wednesday morning, the fund had received R 365 944.96, with the target scaled up to R500 000.
“It is so humbling to see the support for Darryn pouring in. People from all over the world praying for him, but more than actually putting it into action!” said a message on Facebook page Praying For Darryn.
“Thank you to one and all for your love and support to this amazing young man!”
Click here to support the cause & donate to this South African hero!
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