Friends and family of Darlene Jackson are planning a benefit event to help raise funds for the single mom and her boys.

Jackson is undergoing a 7-8 hour operation, expected to end around 5 p.m. today to try and repair any of her severe spinal injury.

She has yet to move her legs since a minivan crashed into her motorcyle.

The 31-year-old mom of Eric, 12, and Darius, 4, was struck from behind while riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle on Highway 6, just south of Fifth Concession East on Tuesday afternoon.

On one of the first warmer days of the year, she was riding in tandem with her stepfather. They slowed and signalled right, her stepfather made the turn into a private residence, but just as Jackson was turning she was struck from behind.

The driver of the dark blue minivan, a 32-year-old Waterloo man, has been charged with careless driving.

Family friends Maggie Walker and Jacqueline Gellie say everyone is devastated and wants to do anything they can to help.

While right now, the focus is on getting through surgery Gellie said the family will need money down the line. Jackson was already out of work and on disability because of a back injury.

The benefit is planned for March 21 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Fatboy's Bar and Grill at Gage Avenue North and Beach Road. For more information contact Elaine Howie at Fatboy’s or through the Fatboy’s Facebook group.

The family has also set up a trust account at the TD Canada Trust at 550 Fennell Ave. E. transit number 160-6342631.



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