Our brother needs a bit of help right now.
Kelley McLeod was a medic in the Canadian Forces who was attached to the Airborne Regiment for deployments to Somalia and Rwanda in the 1990s. He was released due to service-related injuries which he continues to suffer with to this day.
Last year he and his wife Jeannette bought a house in Napanee, Ontario, which would bring them closer to the medical services Kelley needs, and also nearer to family. They were anticipating making some renovations, which they had budgeted for and were going to begin this summer.
Unbeknownst to either at the time was the fact that there was asbestos in the drywall, the house being built in the early 70s. They were unaware of this as it had not been disclosed when they bought the house, finding out when Kelley thought it best to test for asbestos prior to beginning renos as his mom died from mesothelioma, which is lung cancer caused by asbestos.
They got a loan to cover the $40,000 that it would cost to have the asbestos cleaned up, leaving them at the absolute maximum debt servicing ratio meaning that they now couldn’t get a loan for cab fare if they needed it. Unfortunately, their anticipated renovation costs have risen by about $20,000 as a result of having to have more work done than they had planned on.
Veteran’s Affairs wasn’t able to provide any kind of assistance to them as this was not on VACs list of approved emergencies. VETS Canada is paying for a motel room for Kelley, Jeannette, and their two dogs to stay in while the work is being done, and some friends of theirs have started a GoFundMe campaign to help them get the money they need to get their house back to being liveable again.
They have raised about $5,000 so far but things have stalled a bit, so I’m helping them to get the word out within the veterans community here in Canada. Our brother and sister need our help desperately right now, so if you are able to help them out financially or by donating some of your time it would be so very greatly appreciated. E-transfers are also being accepted.
Kelley has always been the one who has been there to help his veteran brothers and sisters in need and it is beyond difficult for Kelley to be asking for help, which is why friends of theirs organized the GoFundMe. I’m hoping that our community will rally together to help him in his time of greatest need.
For more information, email vhughes920@gmail.com.
The Advocate-Equalizer 
The best of luck to you and your family, I understand emergencies I just had a stroke because of them changing providers from Sun Life to Canada life. Take care of your family.
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