Whilst protecting Rhino’s Erick has been gored by an elephant
Fundraising campaign by
Jonathan Marsden
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ZAR155,664raised of R160,000.00 goal goal
No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities
Campaign Story
Please help!!
Eric is one of those special young men - he made a decision to dedicate his life’s work to protecting Rhino’s and elephants - animals endangered in South Africa - due to horrific poaching for nothing more then the ivory in their horns and tusks.
He always thought that his greatest danger would be from armed poachers (many using automatic weapons) - little did he know that on 1st of February he would be fighting for his life, because the very animal he was trying to protect would attack him
Whilst doing nothing more dangerous then checking fences, four rogue elephants set upon Eric and his partner. Both men split up trying to reduce the danger. He ran to the left and his partner to the right. One elephant chased him....kneeled down and essentially nailed him into a tree... he managed to crawl about 30 metres to the road ...according to the paramedic he was sitting in the road and applying pressure to his own wounds when they arrived.
Rushed to a hospital in Tzaneen, Doctors were presented with a massive set of injuries including;
- his throat was split
- his esophagus and trachea were severed
- his ankle was broken
- his jaw was broken in 3 places
- his vocal chords and facial nerves have been damaged
He is now on a ventilator and under sedation.
The road to recovery is not going to be easy
He needs to be transferred by air ambulance closer to home in Johannesburg and for rehabilitation to begin.
Without first world treatment there is a 95% chance that he won’t speak or be able to eat normally.
The greatest tragedy is that these brave young men who put there lives on the line to protect our wild life heritage, do so at considereable personal cost. Their compensation is certainly not financial, and the medical cover they receive is, at best, basic.
We need US$12,500 to fly this brave young man home and to give him a chance with adequate rehabilitation. Ironically that amount is equivelant to only eight pounds of ivory sold in Beijing.
Organizer
- Jonathan Marsden
- Campaign Owner
Donors
- Anonymous
- Donated on Feb 21, 2018
- Peter de Bruin
- Donated on Feb 21, 2018
God bless the doctors who are treating Erick Thank you Erick for the work you do
Almost there
Update posted by Jonathan Marsden at 01:38 pmWith only a few hours to go - I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has donated, sent good wishes and prayed fro Erick.He has a long way to go, but thanks to your kindness the journey will be that little bit easier.With a humble and
Erick has lost his voice
Update posted by Jonathan Marsden at 10:40 amWe have been devastated to learn that Erick will never be able to use his voice, or eat normally again! His vocal chords have been completely destroyed.For such a chatty friendly person this is going to be shattering news to learn.Please help us do whatever you can to get him
Donors & Comments
- David Maher
- Donated on Feb 22, 2018
I will keep Erick in my prayers every night. May God watch over him and help him recover. Thank you for the opportunity to help.
- Anonymous
- Donated on Feb 21, 2018
- Peter de Bruin
- Donated on Feb 21, 2018
God bless the doctors who are treating Erick Thank you Erick for the work you do
- Jannie De Beer
- Donated on Feb 21, 2018
- Anonymous
- Donated on Feb 20, 2018
Thank you for your dedication and commitment. You are a remarkable human being.
- Anonymous
- Donated on Feb 20, 2018
Heal and get well soon the elephants need you!
- Anonymous
- Donated on Feb 13, 2018
- Storm Aki
- Donated on Feb 13, 2018
- Elaine Schaefer
- Donated on Feb 12, 2018
Sending prayers and thoughts for your return to health. May you and your family find comfort during this difficult time.
- Nicole Chapman
- Donated on Feb 12, 2018
Thank you so much brave soul for everything you do in the name of animals. Wishing you a speedy recovery x
I will keep Erick in my prayers every night. May God watch over him and help him recover. Thank you for the opportunity to help.