More than £8,000 has been raised in less than 24 hours for the family of an 18-year-old who suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash in Jarrow, South Tyneside. Kurtis Stubbings was riding an electric motorbike that collided with another vehicle on Ellison Street shortly after 5:30 am on Monday. He was rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle with life-threatening injuries.
Family Prepares to Say Goodbye
Family friend Ashlie McShane, 36, set up an online fundraising page to support Kurtis's mother, Charlotte Wilson, 36. Ashlie said the family is now preparing to say goodbye to Kurtis, and his organs will be donated to save the lives of others. The Go Fund Me page has raised over £8,500 since it was created 21 hours ago.
Ashlie told ChronicleLive: "It's very overwhelming. I didn't expect it to take off as much as it has. The community has really pulled together to help her give her the support that she needs and deserves." She added that Charlotte is "very grateful" and "overwhelmed herself."
Community Support
Ashlie described Charlotte as a hardworking mother who "would do anything for anybody." She said: "She works back-to-back. She's a nice lass and Kurtis is a good bairn. He was always there for his mam. They have been side by side since she had him. They were more like best friends, they had a really good bond."
The funds raised will go towards funeral costs and living expenses, as Charlotte may be unable to return to work after losing her son. Ashlie wrote on the fundraising page that the "outcome isn't the one anybody wanted" and that Charlotte has to make the decision to "let him be at peace."
Collision Details
Police, paramedics, and the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) attended the scene. The road was closed in both directions while officers conducted investigations. Kurtis was initially reported to be fighting for his life in hospital.
