Penticton charity puts homeless man and his dog on the road

A Penticton homeless man and his dog are back on the road and in good health after an outpouring of charity from Penticton and area residents.

Wayne McFadden first made the news in mid-April after he went public over concerns about drug use, noise and theft in a Penticton social housing complex where he had been staying.

He was living in a tent near the river channel and spending days in fast food parking lots when he caught the attention of retired paramedic and full time nurse Kim Cameron.

She began a gofundme page to assist McFadden, who also had an aging dog named Singer who needed some veterinary care.

Cameron has since been buoyed by the success of her efforts and those of a few other women who worked the fundraising page.

Cameron posted an update on the now disabled gofundme page yesterday, May 11.

Cameron says with the assistance of fellow fundraisers Lois, Sunnie, Sue and Christine, the page has helped to raise sufficient funds for Critteraid to pay for all of Singer’s vet bills, including the animal’s dog food.

Singer was also provided with therapy identification so she would have access to more places with McFadden.

One of the goals of the fundraising page was to find a camper van or something similar for Wayne. Cameron reported in late April that a motorhome had been found for Wayne.

She reported yesterday he has taken possession and is driving it today.

“I cannot begin to put in to words what this has felt like watching it all unfold for Wayne and Singer. A miracle of kindness and care. A hope that turned into reality and more,” Cameron wrote on the Gofundme page.

Wayne and Singer’s gofundme page raised a total of $18,646.

Cameron says the team of herself, Sunnie, Sue, Christine and Lois are going to stay together after receiving other request from people needing a hand up.

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