Ahousaht skatepark goes ahead thanks to donations

In a matter of weeks more than $20,000 has been a raised to builda skateboard park for kids in the remote community of Ahousaht.

Thecampaignstarted last monthwhen the Vancouvercompany Landyachtzdonated skateboards andrealized kids in Ahousaht First Nationonly had one paved road on which to ride them.

But theskateparkfundraiser got areal boost when a survivor of the Octoberwhale watching accident off Tofinocaught wind of the campaign.

• Leviathan II whale-watching survivors plan special thank you for Ahousaht rescuers
• Landyachtzfundraising for kidsskateparkin isolatedAhousaht, B.C.

DwayneMazereeuwand his wifewere among21 people on boardthe Leviathan II who were rescued by people fromAhousaht. Five British nationals and a man fromAustraliadied in the accident.

Mazereeuwalso happens to build skateparks for a living, and when heshared his story with CBC News,donations for the skateparkpoured in, said Grant Shilling with Get On Board, one of the groups helping with the fundraising.

"I really feel like we are just giving a thank you, a love letter that's sent back to Ahousaht to thank them for their role in things," he said.

Ahousaht is located on FloresIsland, a45-minute boat ride north of Tofino, B.C. and is home to about900 people. But the isolation has contributed to some social issues including a number of suicides or attempted suicidesover the years.

AhousahtDeputy Chief Lindsay Campbell saidkids can`t wait for construction to start.

"It's amazing to see how quickly this has come along," she said. "I don't think any of us anticipated all the money to be raised within three weeks."

The community of Ahousahtis putting$10,000 towards the project, andLandyachtz has promised to donate another $10,000.

Combined with the $20,000donated through online fundraising, there's enough money to get started, said Mike Perreten, co-owner of Landyachtz.

"With what has happened, how the story and the campaign has just gained so much momentum, we reached the goal right away. It's fantastic," Perreten said.