A crowd-funding campaign for the family of Jayden Burleigh, who died after being bitten by a redback spider five days ago, has topped $10,000 overnight.
The Mullumbimby man died days after being bitten while bushwalking last week.
The Jayden Burleigh Tribute Fund was set up on crowfunding website GoFundMe to help support the family through what has been described as a period of “crippling grief”.
‘The Burleigh/Turner families are crippled with grief after the loss of Jayden Burleigh on the 9th April this month,’ the page says.
‘This follows the loss of our beloved Lachie Burleigh in August last year. If you would like to help our family during this extremely difficult time the smallest donation will make the world of difference.’
Jayden’s parents Deborah and Mike Burleigh from Sydney’s northern beaches told Fairfax media the exact cause of Jayden’s death would not be known for several weeks.
If the cause of death investigation reveals the 22-year-old died as a result of a Redback Spider, it would be the first fatality since antivenom was introduced 60 years ago.
‘What we do know is that only a week ago he was in hospital, recovering from an infection due to a redback spider bite,’ Mrs Burleigh said.
‘He had a general anaesthetic to drain a severe abscess at Nambour Hospital and was there for four days.
‘He had also just recovered from injuries sustained in a car accident a few weeks prior.’
Jayden was reportedly released from hospital on Thursday and prescribed antibiotics but died on Saturday.
To donate to the Jayden Burleigh Tribute Fund, go to www.gofundme.com/96ym7rc4.
