Tanelle BoltB次元官网网址檚 life changed forever this August when she jumped into the Gordon River from an overhead bridge and broke her mid-back, suffering severe spinal cord damage.

Since her recent prognosis of life in a wheelchair, BoltB次元官网网址檚 family, friends and her workmates at DarcyB次元官网网址檚 Pub have rallied in support around her.

The West Shore pub and restaurant is hosting a benefit concert Oct. 5 to help Bolt with medical costs that are quickly mounting.

Manager Justin Sparks said he happened to be talking to a regular customer whoB次元官网网址檚 also in a wheelchair, and began to realize how expensive the whole situation could become for Bolt, especially if sheB次元官网网址檚 not able to work for some time.

B次元官网网址淚t costs way more than you think,B次元官网网址� Sparks said. B次元官网网址淵ou get some funding, but even a decent wheelchair can cost $8,000. I thought I at least wanted to fundraise enough to help (Tanelle) get a wheelchair.B次元官网网址�

Sparks started putting together the concert with the goal of raising the needed cash. He got a huge boost when mutual friend Alexa Palmer told him of a grant offered by the B.C. Hospitality Foundation, an organization that offers financial assistance to those in the industry trying to cope with a health or medical crisis.

B次元官网网址淯sually they donate between $3,500 and $5,000,B次元官网网址� Sparks said. But after speaking with CEO Alan Sacks about BoltB次元官网网址檚 extreme circumstances, the foundation offered to match the fundraiserB次元官网网址檚 donations up to $10,000.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 huge,B次元官网网址� said Sparks, adding heB次元官网网址檚 incredibly grateful for their support.

The Sunday night benefit concert runs from 6 p.m. to midnight and features performances by Jesse Roper, Sam Weber, Bucko & Toad and Johnny Galactic. So far more than $5,000 worth of items have been donated for a silent auction by dozens of local and provincial companies, including a pair of tickets for next yearB次元官网网址檚 SunFest with stage passes to meet Keith Urban.

Greg Adams, founder of the music festival, also plans to donate $2,500 at the benefit, which will go a long way towards achieving the fundraising goal, Sparks said.

Having known Bolt for about three years, he said sheB次元官网网址檚 always been very hardworking and disciplined and always eager to lend a hand.

B次元官网网址淪he has a very positive attitude and lots of energy. SheB次元官网网址檚 a very ambitious young woman,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 part of the family,B次元官网网址� added fellow DarcyB次元官网网址檚 manager Danielle Dekay. B次元官网网址淪he would do anything for us in the same regard.B次元官网网址�

For her part, Bolt is trying to make it over for the benefit, though sheB次元官网网址檚 still currently in rehab in Vancouver.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 trying,B次元官网网址� said Sparks. B次元官网网址淗er goal is to be here for it.B次元官网网址�

A free shuttle to Langford will leave the Wharf Street DarcyB次元官网网址檚 location at 6:30 p.m. It makes the return trip downtown at 11:30.

Tickets are $20 and are available at ticketzone.com, or in person from either DarcyB次元官网网址檚 location, The Duke Saloon and Upstairs Cabaret.

For more information, call DarcyB次元官网网址檚 West Shore at 250-391-8597.

acowan@goldstreamgazette.com