DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard
NORTH DURHAM: Online fundraisers have seen a tremendous outpouring of support, for two local men injured following an explosion, at a home in Zephyr on Tuesday, October 8th. GoFundMe pages were launched last week, to support D’Arcy Stephens, a 35-year-old gas fitter, who grew up in Port Perry, and home owner Darryl McFarlane. Both men were critically injured in the explosion, at Mr. McFarlane’s home, in Zephyr, last Tuesday evening. “D’Arcy was taken to the Uxbridge Hospital and then immediately rushed to the Toronto Burn Unit, along with the resident of the house. D’Arcy remains there in critical condition, in a medically induced coma. He suffered burns all over his body, with severe burns to his hands, forearms, face and neck. D’Arcy had immediate emergency surgery, as an attempt to save his hands and eyesight, and we can only hope these surgeries were successful,” the GoFundMe page for D’Arcy read. Almost $15,000 has been raised through the page, to support the Stephens family, which includes his partner Alicia, and their three children, nine-year-old Zander, six-year-old Maddox and four-year-old Oriah. “This fundraising campaign will ensure that D’Arcy and his family, can concentrate on his healing, and putting his life back together, after this devastating tragedy. The funds raised in this campaign will go directly to Alicia and D’Arcy, to cover the inevitable costs and financial stress, that comes from such desperate times, simply to cover everyday things like daycare, food, rent, parking fees and gas.” A page to support Mr. McFarlane has also been organized, and has seen more than 70 percent of its fundraising goal reached, in less than a week. “Darryl will require ongoing surgeries, and will be on a long road to recovery, in the months to come. Darryl was a bit of an introvert, but would drop anything to help someone out,” the post read. “He had quit his job years ago to be a full-time caregiver to his ailing mom and dad, who have in recent years passed away. He had recently returned to work, and had just finished renovating his childhood home, where he had taken care of his parents for many, many years.” For more information, or to make a donation, search ‘Darryl McFarlane Family Fundraiser,’ or ‘Please help D’Arcy Stephens and his family,’ on GoFundMe.com.
Author’s Note: I grew up with D’Arcy Stephens, and have considered him a close friend, for most of the past 30 years. This news has been devastating, for the many people he has touched in his life. He is one of the most sincere, and hard working men, I have every had the privilege of knowing. Years ago, before I became a father for the first time, we were thankfully, able to reconnect, and he has been one of my most trusted sources of information, on navigating being a father. If you have the means, please consider donating to his, or Mr. McFarlane in this time of need. – Darryl Knight