GoFundMe page raises more than $29,000 for Michael Warburton’s family in less than 24 hours
More touching memories of a father killed in a tragic Brisbane hit and run have emerged as a chorus of people raise more than $30,000 to help the family in a day.
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The friend of a Brisbane father killed in a tragic hit and run on the city’s bayside has shared the heartwarming story behind an incredible gesture to help the family of a man he called his “second dad”.
Cameron Hersom has known Michael Warburton, who died after being hit when riding his Vespa home from the gym on September 26, for 25 years after becoming friends with his son in primary school.
After a GoFundMe page was started to help Mr Warburton’s family with funeral and other costs, Mr Hersom has led the overwhelming community response after donating $5000 to the cause.
More than $30,000 has been donated to the page in one day.
Mr Hersom said he didn’t hesitate to donate when the GoFundMe page was started.
“I chose to donate $5000 because I want to take as much pressure off them as I can I know how expensive funerals and life settlements can cost, if I didn’t have a roof I needed to keep over my own head, I would have given them every last cent in my bank,” he said.
Mr Hersom met Mr Warburton’s son, Blake, when they were five years old and said they spent almost every weekend at each other’s houses.
“So Michael always saw me as his own son and would often call me son instead of Cam,” he said.
“He’s been my second dad for 25 years, so yesterday hurt me as if I’d lost a biological father.
“Michael was one of the most social people you’ll ever meet.
“He had one of the biggest hearts and he loved his family and friends more than life itself, he loved his job, he loved being fit and healthy and he was the biggest Penrith Panthers supporter under the sun.
“Michael genuinely made you want to be a better person and he will be missed by many more than anything and I can’t wait for the day I get to see him again, until then everyone will carry a bit of Michael in them and they’ll be a better person from it.”
Maree Lowery, a friend of Mr Warburton and his wife Anita, started the page and posted an emotional tribute to her fallen friend on social media.
“RIP Michael. You are one of the kindest, generous blokes we know,” she wrote.
“You and Anita were our first friends on moving to QLD and you and your family became our family.
“We will miss you mate! I will barrack loud and proud for the Panthers this weekend for you. “I have no words to really express how I am feeling but I know we are going to miss you a heck of a lot.”
Other organisations in the community are also stepping up to help.
Originally published as GoFundMe page raises more than $29,000 for Michael Warburton’s family in less than 24 hours
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