On a mild afternoon in late August, five-year-old Maxwell Haworth and his parents watched his best friend play at Rincon Beach in Ventura.
According to family members, the perfect day quickly became a “nightmare”. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said he slipped as the young Maxwell climbed onto the rocks on the edge of the beach, causing the boulder to fall on top of him.
According to close family member Daniel Kessler, the young boy was seriously injured in the accident and died at a local hospital later that day.
Maxwell Haworth, 5 years old.
(Contributed by Bryan Holloway)
“His father picked him up and took his arms with him to the parking lot for help,” Kessler said. “They did everything they could.”
The heartbreaking accident has clearly touched the hearts of hundreds of people from Chicago and Atlanta who donated more than $65,000 in less than 10 days.
“He’s always a happy, energetic 5 year old, always having fun and loving everyone. He actually just started kindergarten a few weeks ago,” Kessler said. “This family is just heartbroken and they won’t see him grow up.”
After the tragic loss, family and friend Bryan Holloway organized it GoFundMe Explain funeral costs and support.
“My friends aren’t asking for anyone, but we know any support they need to get,” Holloway wrote on the page.
As his parents’ only child, Max is “the greatest happiness in their lives and they don’t want more blessings.”
The online fundraising page is decorated with photos of Cherub-Face Boy and his parents. In less than a week, GoFundMe reached nearly $50,000, with contributions ranging from $10 to $2,500.
As of Friday afternoon, it reached $65,000 from nearly 650 contributors, with a target of $80,000.
“The power of support is huge, we feel so happy, his parents feel so happy that they cannot thank people for donating and sharing their love,” Kessler said. “They are happy that their son has moved a lot.”
