Good things are happening to Nico Pike and his family.
Nine-year-old Nico was badly injured when he was struck by a pickup truck on 29 Avenue in Aldergrove on Feb. 3.
He was unconscious but breathing on his own when B.C. Ambulance paramedics lifted him into an air ambulance. He has now emerged from a coma and started the long road to recovery.
It will be made all the easier by the outpouring of financial and moral support from the community, especially from the children in his school, Shortreed Elementary.
Student leaders Jack Lee and Jessica Brucker began a coin drive, collecting $1,150.46 for Nico’s family to defray the cost of gas, parking and food associated with their visits to Children’s Hospital.
Helped by support worker Gail Macklin, the students sorted pennies on Monday (Feb. 20), nickels on Tuesday, dimes on Wednesday, quarters on Thursday and loonies and toonies on Friday. After the students rolled the coins, PAC members tallied the total.
“This is amazing, incredible,” said PAC president Lacey Warrington.
“I’m surprised how the kids in the school have come together to help another family in a tough time in their lives,” she said, adding that the students are living up to the school’s mission of caring for others.
Nico’s parents have asked that no details about his condition be released, but a few of Nico’s school friends have visited him, and others are staying in touch by phone.
Anyone who would like to make a donation to the family is asked to call Shortreed Elementary at 604-856-4167. Contributions can be made directly to the Nico Trust, care of Justina Pike, at TD Canada Trust bank quoting branch number 9035 and account number 6361303.