In Consett, a fundraiser has raised £7,675 for the funeral of 14-year-old Aaron Anderson, who died after a farm accident.
Aaron Anderson, from Consett, suffered fatal injuries when a John Deere Gator utility vehicle overturned on a farm in Burnopfield, off the B6310, on December 21, shortly before 8:30 PM.
He was taken to the RVI in Newcastle but sadly passed away on Boxing Day.
A GoFundMe campaign was started by family friend Anne Campbell on December 30 to help Aaron’s mum, dad, and brother during this tough time.
Anne, 47, said the fundraiser aims to lessen the financial burden of funeral costs while the family grieves.
She stated, “When you have kids, the last thing on this earth that you think about is paying for their funeral. It’s the most unnatural thing in the world, losing your child.”
Anne added, “I watched Aaron being born, and I was there at the end. It hasn’t been easy for all of us. His mum and dad, Donna and Craig, have been incredible throughout everything.”
In a heartfelt tribute, Aaron’s family described him as a “cheeky chappie who was always smiling and would never fail to brighten up your day.” They said, “He will be missed by all who knew him.”
Support for the family has flooded in on social media, with many donating or sharing the fundraiser. So far, 197 people have contributed, raising a total of £7,675.
Aaron’s dad, Craig Anderson, expressed gratitude to everyone who has supported them during this difficult time. He said, “Thank you to everybody who, especially in the current climate, have gone out of their way to donate or like or share. We’re absolutely grateful to every single person.”
The family is also urging young people to be cautious when in fields and to wear helmets when working on or near farm vehicles. Anne said, “Even if one kid thinks his life is more important than his street cred it could make a difference.”
Once the fundraiser exceeded the initial goal of £6,000, Anne and the family decided to donate any extra funds to charities and hospitals.
She mentioned, “Craig, Donna, and I didn’t quite comprehend the level of charity work that goes on in the background. This is just the start of things now; we’ll always continue to fundraise going forward.”
They plan to donate to the Sick Children’s Society at the RVI, Crawford House, and possibly the Red Sky Foundation, among others.
Anne thanked everyone who has contributed, saying, “The kindness of people is incredible. When the chips are down, people rally together and we’re all really grateful.”
“We didn’t realize how much we would raise. It’s one less thing for them, so they can concentrate on the things they should worry about.”
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| December 21 | Accident involving Aaron Anderson | Burnopfield, off B6310 |
| December 26 | Aaron Anderson passed away | RVI, Newcastle |
| December 30 | GoFundMe campaign started | Consett |
