Rodeo associations across northern B.C. are sending love and best wishes to a young Quesnel cowboy who was seriously injured during a saddle bronc performance in Prince George.
Tyson Roberts, 16, remains in hospital in Vancouver after he was airlifted on Saturday, June 18.
The rising rodeo star sustained a serious and life-changing spinal cord injury one week after winning the BC High School Rodeo saddle bronc title at Alex Fraser Park in Quesnel.
鈥淲ith the permission of the family Rodeo PG is announcing a support fund for Tyson and his family,鈥� said Kevin Cunin, president of the Prince George Western Heritage Society.
Cunin personally understands what Roberts is going through after he was paralyzed from a similar injury more than seven years ago at the BCRA Bulkley Valley Rodeo in Smithers.
鈥漌e fully support him and hope for a speedy recovery.鈥�
In Quesnel, JoAnne Hockett is also hoping for the best outcome for her grandson.
Once Roberts is discharged from Vancouver General Hospital, where his parents are by his side, he will attend the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.
READ MORE: Paralyzed B.C. cowboy set to ride again thanks to custom saddle
鈥淚t鈥檚 more than awful; it鈥檚 heartbreaking,鈥� Hockett said, crying. 鈥淏ut we are looking forward, things will get better, and Tyson is a wonderful kid. He鈥檒l be OK.鈥�
That weekend Quesnel Rodeo Club president Ray Jasper was in Vanderhoof for the Nechako Valley Indoor Rodeo, which wrapped up early.
On his way back to Quesnel, he stopped in Prince George, where he learned of Roberts鈥� accident.
鈥淭yson really wanted to excel at this sport, and he tried his hardest every time he got on,鈥� Jasper said. 鈥淗e really enjoyed trying to master that sport, and it鈥檚 a hard thing to do, and, unfortunately, these things do happen.鈥�
Donations to Roberts and his family can be e-transferred to rodeopg@outlook.com. A benefit fund for Roberts can also be supported at any Integris Credit Union.
The Quesnel Rodeo Club is planning to support Roberts in the future.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just all holding our breath to see where things are and what we can be doing,鈥� Jasper said.
鈥淭he biggest thing we can do now is financial support, I think, for the family, to get through the next little bit because it looks like he鈥檚 going to have a fairly long road.鈥�
On Thursday, June 23, the Quesnel Rodeo Committee announced they would be donating 100 per cent of this year鈥檚 administration fees to Roberts and his family.
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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com
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