Fundraising campaign started for Okotoks family after serious collision

A GoFundMe campaign has been started for a critically injured Okotoks man and his family.

Yesterday morning (Feb. 1), 44-year-old Rob Sholter was involved in a collision on Deerfoot Trail just north of Okotoks.

He was airlifted to hospital in life-threatening condition, for which he's undergoing surgery today.

Stephanie Kelly, a family friend of the Sholters, launched the campaign later that day after learning what had happened from Rob's wife Cheryl.

She says the family was already feeling pressure prior to the collision that put Rob in hospital.

"There was another accident not too long ago, and she was in the hospital for a few weeks. Her injuries were nowhere near severe as his. With the understanding of his injuries, he'll be in the hospital for quite some time. The family will need all the help they can get."

Stephanie says Rob is fairly well-known in the community, and that locals may have met him when they've needed help getting their car out of a tight spot.

"Rob is kind of a pillar in our community. He's been in Okotoks for 15-plus years and he is also a very big part of the tow community. He's that one that goes and gets the vehicles in the accidents. Now that he needs our support after the countless times he's been able to help others, I just think that this is something so important, especially in a time that's not easy for anybody."

On top of the fundraising page, Stephanie is also collecting other donations to help cover food for the family.

"Any gift cards, if they wanted to do a meal I have a calendar set up for who has what day. There are two teenagers in the house as well, so very quick, easy meals they can just pop in the microwave or oven and Cheryl knows that they're being fed."

Anyone who's been through similar circumstances is also welcome to reach out with advice.

"If they have any ideas, if they've gone through this before and there's something they've done or seen that's helped families, that would be really wonderful too."

Anyone interested in helping out can contact Stephanie at stephanie.m.kelly@outlook.com or (403) 797-9000.

The GoFundMe page can be seen here.