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Support for Nick Wilford and Family

I hesitate to start a Monday morning with sad news, but I'm hoping most of you already know it by now, and have had a little time for the news to sink in.

For those who don't know, no doubt many of you follow Nick Wilford. He's a writer, and one of the most supportive, hard-working people I know. One of the things he has been passionate about is raising money for his stepson, Andrew McNaughton. Andrew had cerebral palsy, and the fundraising by Nick and his family was to help get Andrew to a specialist college so he could continue his education with all the support necessary for him to thrive.

Sadly, Andrew passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning.

Over the weekend, I witnessed a massive outpouring of love and sadness for Nick and his family from fellow writers and bloggers. People who have never met Nick, and never met Andrew, but were touched by his story and felt compelled to help any way they could. Many of us contributed to Overcoming Adversity: An Anthology for Andrew and as such, we were all connected to him in a small way.

Clare Dugmore, Mary Pax and I took some time over the weekend to discuss what we can do to show Nick that we are here for him, and we decided the best thing we can really do is continue to raise funds to go to a charity of the Wilford/McNaughton family's choice. I've taken on the donation collection duties, simply because I live in the UK, and it just makes more sense since Nick is in the UK, too.

The plan is for those who wish to contribute to send a donation to my Paypal account, where I will collect it all and send it on to Nick. If you would like to contribute, or even if you just have a message you'd like me to pass on, my email address is: kyralennon (at) gmail (dot) com.

I plan to send over the donations on Wednesday, of course, if any come in after that, I will send those along too. But I'd like to have most of it done by then.

For all your generosity so far, I thank you. It is genuinely touching to see how much support you have for Nick, and how something that affects one of us ripples through the blogging community, pulling us together. I am so proud to be part of it. Bloggers are the best!

 My thoughts continue to stay with Nick, Heather and their daughters at this time.



Comments

  1. Hilary Melton-Butcher11 November 2013 at 10:38

    Hi Kyra .. thank you so much for combining with Clare and Mary to offer support through the Andrew McNaughton fund ... I'll be donating - just need to find your paypal account and then I can do so ..

    I have Nick's address so I'll be sending them a card too - but that's a wonderful thought to have put together for Nick, Heather and their daughters so quickly ...

    Thanks so much ... Hilary

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  2. Mark Koopmans11 November 2013 at 11:51

    Thanks Kyra for stepping up to represent us, and my thoughts and prayers continue to be with Nick and his family.

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  3. Jay Noel11 November 2013 at 14:06

    Prayers to Nick and his family during this very difficult time. And thank you Kyra for organizing all of this.

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  4. StratPlayerCJF11 November 2013 at 14:18

    My prayers and deepest sympathies go out to Nick and his family. Thank you for putting together this very kind gesture.

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  5. Julie Flanders11 November 2013 at 14:21

    Thanks again for doing this, Kyra. This is so heartbreaking I still can't believe it.

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  6. Bevimus11 November 2013 at 14:55

    Thank you so much for spearheading this and allowing all of us to relay our prayers to Nick and his family through you.

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  7. Yolanda Renée11 November 2013 at 15:11

    Thank you for taking on such an important role, this is devastating news, and I can't imagine how horrid it is for his family. Prayers and blessings!

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  8. Annalisa Crawford11 November 2013 at 16:23

    As others have said, thank you. I can't begin to imagine how his family must be feeling right now.

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  9. Suzanne Furness11 November 2013 at 16:23

    Such sad news, thoughts very much with Nick and his family. Thanks for organising a collection, Kyra.

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  10. ilima11 November 2013 at 16:26

    I've been thinking of Nick and Andrew all weekend. I think this is awesome. But now I feel dumb...how do I find your paypal account?

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  11. David P. King11 November 2013 at 16:36

    You can count me in on a donation, and I'm spreading the word. Thank you for putting this together, Kyra!

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  12. ~Sia McKye~11 November 2013 at 16:42

    This is a loving and generous thing for you three to do. Right now, I'm sure they're just numb but later, this will mean so much to them and say, Andrew had value and was appreciated.

    I won't be able to contribute anything before Wednesday, but I will later this month.

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

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  13. Nicki Elson11 November 2013 at 17:52

    This is absolutely heartbreaking. Thanks for being the bearer of this sad news and for giving us a way to do something.

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  14. Christine Rains11 November 2013 at 18:57

    My thoughts and sympathies are with Nick and his family. Thank you for organizing this!

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  15. Sherry Ellis11 November 2013 at 19:18

    What horrible news! My heart goes out to Nick and his family! Thank you for organizing this!

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  16. VikLit11 November 2013 at 19:34

    Kyra - I hadn't heard this news until I saw Alex's post. I would like to donate, thank you for organising. Is your paypal account the email address you state above? I assume so and will organise a donation.

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  17. Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy11 November 2013 at 21:37

    My thoughts and prayers go to Nick and his family.

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  18. Sheena-kay Graham12 November 2013 at 05:05

    I read this on Alex's blog late Monday Night. Such sad news and condolences to Nick and the family. Glad you're helping out Kyra.

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  19. Michelle Wallace12 November 2013 at 07:04

    Thank you for co-ordinating this Kyra.
    My thoughts and prayers go out to Nick and his family.

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  20. Carrie Butler12 November 2013 at 10:13

    I've been praying for Nick and his family since I heard the news. Thank you for coordinating this, Kyra!

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  21. Alex J. Cavanaugh12 November 2013 at 12:38

    Awesome the response has been so good!! This community rocks,

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  22. Rachel Schieffelbein12 November 2013 at 13:19

    This is so sad, my heart goes out to them.

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  23. Trisha12 November 2013 at 14:19

    Such tragic news :( I only just found out!

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  24. Nick Wilford12 November 2013 at 14:29

    Thank you so much for everything, Kyra, and to all of you. I'm sorry I cannot respond to every comment here but know that all the good wishes are warmly appreciated.

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  25. Mina Burrows12 November 2013 at 15:56

    Such a sad loss. My prayers are with Nick and his family. God bless.

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  26. Elizabeth Seckman12 November 2013 at 19:04

    I am so glad that you thought of a way for us to show our sympathy and love.

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  27. Ella13 November 2013 at 05:25

    I just found out! I have been fighting an illness n' chiggers and hadn't been online. I was shocked to hear this and so sad~ I too want to send my prayers to Nick and his family~ Thank you Kyra, Clare and Mary, for doing this!

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  28. Unknown14 November 2013 at 19:18

    I'm so sorry to hear of Andrew's passing. Nick and his family will be in our prayers.

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  29. Misha Gerrick17 November 2013 at 15:39

    Oh my word I'm so shocked to read this!

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