THE Illawarra community has rallied to support a Horsley skateboarder who suffered critical head injuries in a fall at Kiama on the night of November 22.
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Friends have started a fund-raising campaign, with more than $17,000 already donated.
Jarrod Whitehead, 18, was skating down the steep Bonaira Street in Kiama with his mates following behind when he clipped an edge, hitting the ground head first.
He was airlifted to St George Hospital and remains in intensive care.
On Monday, family members reported he was still in an induced coma.
Friend Mitchell Rivera and others decided to act, creating an online campaign via www.mycause.com.au with a target to raise $20,000 to help his family cover the medical costs.
Speaking to Fairfax Media last week, Mr Whitehead’s mother Belinda said the family was overwhelmed with the amount of support.
“It’s beyond anything we even imagined and would love to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts,” she said.
Speaking on Monday, Mrs Whitehead again praised those who had offered assistance, and offered an update.
“(It’s) slow progress, he’s still in the induced coma.
“He has developed pneumonia… Just trying to get that under control.
“It's been a roller-coaster, he’s had routine tests that have all come back good.
“It's just a waiting game; they may try to bring him out of (the) coma over the next few days, just got to do it slow(ly) because he gets really agitated which increases the blood pressure and heart rate.”
There will be a dance music night at The Basement at The Harp Hotel, Wollongong on Friday from 8pm, with proceeds going to the MyCause campaign.