Support for family of drowning victim 'overwhelming'

CTV London: Support for grieving family Montcalm high school raises funds in memory of popular student. Nick Paparella reports.

The Montcalm secondary school community is helping a family come to grips with the loss of a beloved son.

Javar Goldbourne, 16, died Monday after being in intensive care since last Wednesday, when he was found at the bottom of a friend’s pool.

The promising basketball player was popular and kind and it showed in the number of people who came together to help raise funds for his family to pay funeral costs.

Staff members even returned from vacation to hold a bake sale and car wash that raised a whopping $8, 035.

“We had 50 to 80 people out. Our goal was to raise $500, to $1,000,” says Shianne Rodway, one of Javar’s friends, who organized the fundraiser.

For Javar’s father Alphonso, who attended the event, the gesture is more than words can express.

"I told them at the school, thank you so much. There are no words to describe it."

His stepmother Opal Tullock says: "We were shocked when we drove up. It's just overwhelming."

Alphonso is still is reeling from the tragedy. "It’s unbelieveable that Javar is not here. It’s hit me hard, really, really, really hard. It’s like a nightmare. I’ve been crying all morning."

Javar was alone when he drowned and his family is still searching for some answers.

I really want police to take a close look at what happened," his father says.

His father says police told him ‑ based on statements gathered from the other teens at the house ‑ that Javar was outside by the pool alone when he bumped his head. He then went inside before leaving to go back to the pool again alone.

He was discovered at the bottom of the pool by one of his friends.

With files from Kathy Rumleski/CTV London