Volunteers in Fauquier are rallying together to hold a special fundraiser for Colton Farrer-Siebold, a 10-year-old who contracted bacterial meningitis at four months of age and was later diagnosed with Hydrocephalus, or what is known as “water on the brain.”

A car wash will be held on July 4 on Oak Street in Fauquier to raise money for Colton, whose family is hoping to send him to Easter Seals’ Camp Winfield for special needs children at the end of July. “This camp will give Colton an experience in a new environment and [a chance to] be among his peers,” says his mother, Tammy.

Colton’s ailment has him in a wheelchair and he requires 24-hour care. After being diagnosed with Hydrocephalus, he had a shunt put into his brain to drain the extra fluid while he was in the Vancouver Children’s Hospital. His family moved to Fauquier in 2009 because of the lower costs of living.

“As a parent you are on constant alert for complications and concern for Colton’s well being,” says Tammy. “The costs associated with Colton’s care are not always covered.”

Tammy also says finding respite care is difficult, and a care-aide is required to be with Colton when he is attending school or away from family care. Part of the fundraised money will be also going to hiring a care-aide worker to attend camp with Colton.

The fundraiser itself has been a volunteer endeavor for over, between the Needles/Fauquier Women’s Institute and the Kids Can Club, 20 Fauquier residents.

Colton has three siblings, Alisa, Blake and Conner. Tammy says he is a happy child and his needs are easy to distinguish -- he loves sunshine, fresh air and his sister’s horse, Blue.