Wishing Joey, 8, all the best

FOR most families Christmas is a time of celebration and joy.

For the family of Joey Donald, who was seriously hurt in a horse accident a month ago, it is a time of stress and worry as he undergoes intensive treatment.

The eight-year-old has been diagnosed with severe brain damage, called Diffuse Axonal Injury, along with initial injuries including multiple skull fractures, a broken nose, collapsed lungs, a broken elbow, ruptured liver and third degree abrasions on his back.

There has been slow progress and he has jumped some massive hurdles but there is a long way to go.

Joey is an incredibly generous little boy.

Earlier this year Joey decided to donate his prizemoney from winnings at the Innisfail Show to drought-affected farmers.

He also led a sausage sizzle at his school, ran a raffle and passed the hat around at the Innisfail cattle sale to raise even more money for the cause.

Now his generosity is being paid back with a gofundme campaign raising $40,000 towards his recovery and to help his family with expenses as he is treated in Brisbane.

The Atherton Tablelands community has rallied around the boy whose plight has touched their hearts.

Family members say they have been heartened by the support as well as help of “the amazing staff at Townsville Hospital, worldwide prayers from all denominations, love and support of our family, friends, amazing rural communities, and complete strangers. It makes the road a little less scary,” his mum Sarah Mohammed told the Cairns Post.

We wish Joey and his family all the best in coming months. Nick Dalton Deputy editor