As friends and family prepare for a fundraiser in support of Bill Hogg and Shannon Baxter, they remember the couple’s pride and joy — their young son Brody.

Brody, who died tragically in June when a car jumped the curb where the three-year-old and dad Bill were playing, is remembered as a beautiful boy inside and out.

“He was very inquisitive, very curious,” said family friend Lindsey Trowell. “He was a little man — such a cutie, but still strapping and burly for a little guy. He was beautiful, and he was fearless.”

“He was smart, just wise beyond his years,” added Brody’s aunt, Aislinn Craycroft.

“He knew so much, and he loved learning, absolutely loved learning — and teaching.”

Loved ones are still reeling from the crash that claimed young Brody and injured Bill, while Shannon, who is now about six months pregnant, was inside the family’s Duncan home.

“Bill and Shannon are holding up as one could expect,” said Trowell. “Bill’s still in a lot of pain, and they’re pretty much taking it day by day, hour by hour.”

The impact crushed two vertebrae in Bill’s lumbar, or lower back, and twisted his spinal column.

“The doctors actually had to twist that back out during surgery,” said Trowell, adding the injury means it’s difficult to say when, or even if, Bill will be able to return to work as an arborist for Competition Tree Service.

“He climbed trees for a living, but now that he’s broken his back it’s hard to say if he’ll return to work or if he’ll have to be trained in a different field completely.”

But Bill and Shannon have been overwhelmed by community support since the terrible day.

More than $10,000 has been deposited into a trust account for the family, while businesses have contributed thousands of items toward Saturday’s dance and auction fundraiser.

“Bill and Shannon wanted to let the community know that they’re not going to abuse this money that’s coming in — they’re only going to use what they need, when they need it, and Shannon’s goal is to eventually start a non-profit group to help other families that lose children,” said Trowell.

In fact, the family has yet to use any of the funds donated via the trust account.

“Part of it will go toward funeral expenses when the bills start coming in, and possibly living expenses while Bill is unable to work — the last thing they need to worry about is money,” added Trowell. “But any money left over will be put toward the non-profit group. Essentially, they want to pay it forward.”

Family and friends are supporting Bill and Shannon, as well as their goal to form the non-profit society in the coming months, with the Hogg Wild Dance and Auction on Saturday, Aug. 8.

Music includes ‘70s-style rock band Black Watch, and big-ticket auction items include two round-trip flights to anywhere WestJet flies, as well as two tickets to a Vancouver Canucks game coupled with a hotel-stay in Vancouver for the night of the game. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Luxton Hall, 1040 Marwood Ave. in Victoria. Tickets are $15 each or two for $20. For more, call 250-743-6554 or 250-642-1539.

The trust account, meanwhile, is set up at the Royal Bank’s Colwood and Duncan branches. Cheques can also be mailed to Shannon’s Trust c/o Abacus Bookkeeping, 4554 Morland Rd. Victoria, B.C. V9C 4E4. Cheques should be made out to Shannon’s Trust.

Side#1: Golf tournament for Brody’s family

A golf tournament is also being organized in support of Bill Hogg and Shannon Baxter.

The Aug. 16, two-man best ball tourney begins at 1 p.m. at the Metchosin Golf Course. There’s a $50 entry fee that includes a dinner, as well as a 50/50 draw and prizes.

Registration ends Aug. 12. To register, contact Lindsey Trowell at 250-642-1539 or Parry Trowell at 250-888-5468.

Side#2: The crash

The crash that claimed young Brody happened June 11 at about 7:40 p.m.

Dad Bill Hogg was playing with Brody on the sidewalk near the family’s Marchmont Road home when a blue Pontiac Sunbird leapt the curb and crushed a wire fence before it struck Bill and Brody.

Police said the man behind the wheel of the Sunbird blacked out because of a medical condition and added charges were unlikely.