THE Barnsley community has rallied together to support a family whose lives were turned upside down just days before Christmas after a ‘devoted’ grandad was killed and his grandson critically injured following a crash in Worsbrough.
At 11.41am on Sunday December 22, officers were called to West Street to reports of a collision involving a car and two pedestrians.
A blue Volkswagen Polo was involved in the crash with a wall and a 56-year-old man and a one-year-old boy.
The man, Leon Yould, died at the scene and the boy, his grandson Michael, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
He has since undergone a number of operations at Sheffield Children’s Hospital and remains there in a stable, but critical condition.
A statement issued to the Chronicle by the family said they had been left heartbroken by the tragedy.
It added: “It’s been awful. The family are so devastated.
“It’s not just a Christmas without him, it’s a lifetime.
“We are a very close-knit family - everything is about family.
“For years we’ve gone to a local pub on Christmas but none of us could face it this year.
“That’s a tradition that’s now been broken.”
Leon has been described as a real family man - and he devoted his life to his kids and grandkids.
“He’ll be known by so many people because he was a local window cleaner and a taxi driver,” it added.
“He was a precious son, brother, boyfriend, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend.
“Leon was a devoted dad to his three daughters and his son.
“He dedicated himself to caring for his children and absolutely doted on them and his six grandchildren.
“In fact his very plans on the day included picking up his only grandson, Michael, to go to his mum and dad’s for dinner and later was to take his own grown-up daughter to watch the new Lion King film.
“This was just a typical day in his life as the loving family man he was.
“Little did anyone know that on that fateful day Leon’s life was taken in a senseless, tragic accident that not only took Leon’s life but left baby Michael in hospital with critical injuries.”
Oakwell - the home of Leon’s beloved Barnsley Football Club - came together in unison on Wednesday to pay tribute to his life.
He was an avid Barnsley supporter and the family had urged fans to come together to clap for him in the 56th minute of the League One fixture against Wrexham.
A fundraiser has subsequently been set up by Elizabeth Keen, Michael’s grandmother, to try and raise as much money for the youngster, who remains in hospital.
More than £3,400 has been raised so far - which will go towards supporting him when he returns from hospital - and the family said the donations have provided some comfort.
The Outpost pub are also planning to host a fundraising night in Leon’s honour.
The statement added: “We’ve had loads of messages and we all just want to thank everyone.
“Everyone who helped at the scene, they’re obviously struggling at the moment as well.
“It gives us some comfort.
“All the support we’ve received has been amazing.
“We appreciate that people are enjoying their own celebrations over Christmas but they’ve still taken time out of that to support our family.
“It was Michael’s grandma who set the fundraiser up.
“Tye Yould and Logan Yould, along with a number of others, are also going to run in memory of him.
“The 10k run will take place on February 16 at 9am at York Racecourse.
“Anyone who wants to join in or come and support them is welcome.”
To donate to the fundraiser, follow the link https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-this-little-boys-future-after-tragedy?attribution_id=sl:7be9eee4-4000-442a-8fe8-1cb3334d1e7e&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link
