A fundraising campaign to help hijacking shooting survivor Sidney Hill and his children recover from a traumatic incident has raised more than R392,000, with hundreds of donors contributing towards their legal and counselling expenses.
The BackaBuddy campaign, titled Help Sidney Hill and His Children Rebuild, had raised R392,300 towards its R500,000 target as of October 27, achieving 78% of its goal.
According to the campaign, 949 donors had contributed to the appeal, which is being managed by Hill himself.
The funds are intended to cover unexpected legal expenses arising from the shooting incident, as well as professional trauma counselling for the children, who experienced the ordeal.
The campaign states that the full extent of the legal costs and the length of time the children will require counselling remain unknown.
It adds that the money raised will help ensure the children receive ongoing professional support for as long as they need it, while easing the financial pressure on their father.
“The unexpected financial burden has placed him in a difficult position, and he cannot meet these additional costs on his own,” the campaign states.
Hill shields daughter during shooting
On October 9, Hill was leaving his home in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, with his children when three hijackers ambushed their vehicle.
Video footage of the incident shows a car stopping alongside Hill’s vehicle who was reversing, and two-armed men got out and ran towards him. Hill was inside the car with his daughter seated beside him, while his son was outside the vehicle.
According to a source, one of the men ran to Hill's son who was at the gate and put a gun to his head. Hill drew his firearm and returned fire before using his body to shield his daughter.
"One of the suspects allegedly started firing shots towards the father, who returned fire and fatally wounded one suspect," said a KZN police spokesperson, Colonel Paul Magwaza
The next day, police made a breakthrough in the investigating by arresting a 35-year-old in KwaDabeka.
He faces charges of attempted carjacking, attempted murder, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Police said the suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and 14 rounds of ammunition.
Appeal seeks to ease financial pressure
The campaign describes Hill as a single father responsible for caring for his children while working to ensure they have a safe and stable future.
It aims to give the family some financial breathing room so they can focus on their well-being, healing and recovery.
The appeal also encourages members of the public who are unable to contribute financially to share the campaign with friends, family and their wider communities.
At the time the fundraising figures were displayed, the campaign had received no offline donations.