Rodeo associations across northern B.C. are sending love and best wishes to a young Quesnel cowboy who was seriously injured during a saddle bronc performance in Prince George.

Tyson Roberts, 16, remains in hospital in Vancouver after he was airlifted on Saturday, June 18.

The rising rodeo star sustained a serious and life-changing spinal cord injury one week after winning the BC High School Rodeo saddle bronc title at Alex Fraser Park in Quesnel.

B次元官网网址淲ith the permission of the family Rodeo PG is announcing a support fund for Tyson and his family,B次元官网网址� said Kevin Cunin, president of the Prince George Western Heritage Society.

Cunin personally understands what Roberts is going through after he was paralyzed from a similar injury more than seven years ago at the BCRA Bulkley Valley Rodeo in Smithers.

B次元官网网址漌e fully support him and hope for a speedy recovery.B次元官网网址�

In Quesnel, JoAnne Hockett is also hoping for the best outcome for her grandson.

Once Roberts is discharged from Vancouver General Hospital, where his parents are by his side, he will attend the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.

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B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 more than awful; itB次元官网网址檚 heartbreaking,B次元官网网址� Hockett said, crying. B次元官网网址淏ut we are looking forward, things will get better, and Tyson is a wonderful kid. HeB次元官网网址檒l be OK.B次元官网网址�

That weekend Quesnel Rodeo Club president Ray Jasper was in Vanderhoof for the Nechako Valley Indoor Rodeo, which wrapped up early.

On his way back to Quesnel, he stopped in Prince George, where he learned of RobertsB次元官网网址� accident.

B次元官网网址淭yson really wanted to excel at this sport, and he tried his hardest every time he got on,B次元官网网址� Jasper said. B次元官网网址淗e really enjoyed trying to master that sport, and itB次元官网网址檚 a hard thing to do, and, unfortunately, these things do happen.B次元官网网址�

Donations to Roberts and his family can be e-transferred to rodeopg@outlook.com. A benefit fund for Roberts can also be supported at any Integris Credit Union.

The Quesnel Rodeo Club is planning to support Roberts in the future.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e just all holding our breath to see where things are and what we can be doing,B次元官网网址� Jasper said.

B次元官网网址淭he biggest thing we can do now is financial support, I think, for the family, to get through the next little bit because it looks like heB次元官网网址檚 going to have a fairly long road.B次元官网网址�

On Thursday, June 23, the Quesnel Rodeo Committee announced they would be donating 100 per cent of this yearB次元官网网址檚 administration fees to Roberts and his family.

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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com