Prince George is rallying together to help a 13-year-old boy, who’s been battling brain cancer, achieve his last wish – to see the ocean.
While Trayton Royer and his family live in Whitecourt, Alta., his mother Bailey Thompson is originally from Prince George.
“Local people have been spreading the story from the last little while about him battling brain cancer,” says Hell Yeah Prince George! spoksperson David Mothus, who helped create a fundraiser to support the family.
After a five-year battle, on March 10, 2021, Trayton’s family were told there were no treatment options left and he would be taken off chemotherapy.
Thompson then created a GoFundMe campaign in hopes of achieving one last family trip to Tofino, B.C., as Trayton expressed a wish to see the ocean.
“I’m wanting to take him and all my kids on one more family trip as it will be our last one and I want to make it one we can all remember,” writes Thompson on the page.
Mothus said he had people in Prince George reach out to him with Trayton’s story and ask if there was anything he could do to help.
“I had a message from Moxie’s saying let’s do something fun or creative to help someone so I remember that message about Trayton and said let’s put something together.”
Mothus said he also had received messages from business owners who were willing to pay for the final costs of the trip, which is now fully funded.
“I asked Trayton’s mom if the final expenses had been considered for him and they said ‘No, they hadn’t thought about that,’ so I decided to use the Moxie’s fundraiser to pay it forward for his funeral.”
Moxies and Mothus then created a fundraiser where the proceeds from burgers sold between April 9 and 11 will go toward the family during their time of need.
“The goal is to help Moxies, and help Trayton at the same time, to bring them some business during a pandemic. I always like win-wins.”
However, because of the March 29 public health restrictions which have closed indoor dining until April 19, the fundraiser will occur through take-out orders only.
“Hopefully we can get the community driving there to pick up burgers,” said Mothus.
“We want everyone in town to call in orders and go pick them up and have burgers and fries at home with your family.”
Monetary donations toward the family can still be made through the GoFundMe campaign as well.
