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From St. John's to PoCo, thanks to those who helped a family in need

The Editor, On Aug. 5, while vacationing in Newfoundland, our two sons, aged 16 and 14 years, were in a serious boating accident. They sustained serious injuries, were in critical condition and hospitalized for three and a half weeks.

The Editor,

On Aug. 5, while vacationing in Newfoundland, our two sons, aged 16 and 14 years, were in a serious boating accident. They sustained serious injuries, were in critical condition and hospitalized for three and a half weeks. It was a very difficult time for us, especially as we were so far from our home of Port Coquitlam.

Within a few hours of the accident, the news had spread across the country, and friends and family did whatever they could to support us in our time of need. Through phone calls, emails and social media sites, a rally was set up at Terry Fox secondary school for the following week. It was one evening when people could come and support us with cards, gifts and donations. Hundreds of people showed up.

The love, support, encouragement and prayer that surrounded us was truly amazing. We only hope we can pay it forward in some way.

While the boys were recovering in hospital, we were fortunate to have been able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House in St. John's, N.L. This is a wonderful facility that provides sick children and their families with a home-away-from-home experience. It is also in close proximity to the Janeway hospital so we were able to walk back and forth to the house for meals, breaks and a comfy bed.

We were overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who supports this place and the families who use it. We feel so blessed to have experienced kindness, generosity and unwavering support from so many amazing people from St. John's, N.L. to Port Coquitlam, B.C. We have a renewed faith in the human spirit and how a community can come together to support those in need.

The boys continue to make progress as their bodies heal. We are hopeful and pray for a complete recovery.

On behalf of the Hughes family, we would like to express our sincere thanks and deep appreciation to our wonderful community of friends and family in the Tri-Cities.

Phil, Deanne, Nicholas and Matthew Hughes, Port Coquitlam