by Rachel Everett-Fry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Gina Rutledge died of brain cancer the day before her 26th birthday. She left behind two beautiful little boys. Funds are currently needed to help fulfill Gina’s wishes about how the boys would be raised.
According to her last will and testament, Gina wanted Jude (7) and Javen (6) to be raised by her mother Jes, the grandmother of the boys. Since this time, a legal battle has ensued: another party with no biological ties to the children has embroiled Jes in a custody battle for the children. Based on legal and personal information, Jes believes that the other party would be unable to uphold an argument in court, and is instead drawing out the process to run up Jes’ legal fees until she is unable to continue her fight for custody. Information about the situation can be found at the link below.
Fiona McKenney is not going to let Jes lose a legal battle for lack of resources. Known to the community as one of the owners of J.M. Automotive, and board member of Kemptville Pride, Fiona is a ‘chosen family’ member to Jes, Gina, Jude, and Javen. Fiona is organizing a raffle for Jes’ 1996 Ford Escort to help in the fight for a permanent court order so that “Jes can move on with life with the boys.”
Fiona explains “I spent a lot of time with Gina right before she died. So I know this is what she wanted. And I did promise her that I would do everything I could to help them get custody and to raise the boys.”
The car is vintage, with only 131,139 km, 4 new tires, new brakes, and fully “safetied”. Tickets are $50 each, and 150 tickets will be available. The draw will be held when all tickets are sold. To purchase tickets, you can join the Fundraiser for Gina’s Boys Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/2668553726728238, or drop by J.M. Automotive in Heckston.
If you don’t care for a new-to-you car, donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/cth4h- love-for-gina?utm_campaign=p_na+share- sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer
