A very special hockey game is under way this afternoon.
Wellington County OPP and local students from Erin District High School are taking to the ice in a charity hockey game in support of a local boy who has endured so much during his short time here on earth.
11-year-old Nathan Vandertol not only suffers from a congenital heart defect that he was born with, but he also lost his mother tragically last year just four days before Christmas.
Wellington County OPP Constable Kirk MacDonald was there the night of the accident and says this young boy has been through so much.
"Nathan and his mom were on their way to visit Nathan's father, who was at work at the time, with some baked goods and tragically they were involved in a collision on Wellington Rd. 124 just outside of Guelph," says MacDonald.
Nathan's mother, Sherry Lynn Fraser, did not survive the collision.
Not only has Nathan endured surgeries and lengthy hospital stays, but he has lost his mother and his ability to physically play high endurance sports like hockey (and baseball, which he loves).
The OPP Charity Hockey Game takes place at the Erin Community Centre starting a 2pm this afternoon.
Donations will be accepted and will help with future medical costs and education for Nathan.
Admission is $2 for students and $5 for adults, though any donations will be accepted.
For those wishing to help the cause, a GO FUND ME Account has been set up and donations can also be made to a Trust Fund that has been set up for Nathan at:
TD Bank Transit #: 22042 Institution #: 004 Account #: 6034484