APOPKA, Fla. – An Apopka restaurant is bringing together its community to help a fireman who suffered a significant work-related injury last week.
Porkie’s Original BBQ announced on its Facebook page it will hold a fundraiser on Thursday, July 7, for Austin Duran, the Apopka firefighter who has been fighting to recover from a tragic injury he sustained while working on June 30.
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Porkie’s Original BBQ announced on its Facebook page it will hold a fundraiser on Thursday, July 7, for Austin Duran, the Apopka firefighter who has been fighting to recover from a tragic injury he sustained while working on June 30.
The restaurant’s owner, Steve White, said he’s hoping for a big turnout.
“I think it’s going to be real busy,” White said.
The Apopka restaurant pledged that 10% of its sales all day July 7 would go to Duran to help fund the “hard road ahead of him.”
Apopka Fire Chief Sean Wylam said Duran was working near a secondary garage and trying to move a sand trailer when he was hurt. The trailer is used for hazards like gas spills and liquid spills.
A GoFundMe was started for Duran by his family and has since raised more than $50,000.
Porkies will be having a fundraiser next Thursday July 7th for the Apopka Fireman who was injured seriously this week and has a hard road ahead of him. We will donate 10per cent of our sales for the day.
Posted by Porkie's Original BBQ on Sunday, July 3, 2022
An update to the GoFundMe on Tuesday said, “Austin came out of his 4th surgery yesterday. This surgery repaired 5 very damaged, crushed ribs using titanium strips. The rib fixation surgery went well but a chest tube was added in the process. Austin had a rough night but is stable now. It was determined that there was some underlying lung damage as a result of the broken ribs. He is not out of the woods yet; Last night proved that. He has a long way to go but is fighting through it. We, as a family, thank everyone for their donations, love, and support. Please keep him in your thought and prayers. Any help is greatly appreciated.”
“It just hit me. This guy needs some support, whether it’s financial or just the community’s support,” White said. “I think it’s really the biggest thing that going to make him feel better while he’s there.”
White said firefighters, including Duran, dine at his restaurant regularly. He said they supported him during the pandemic and even saved his business from a fire when it opened nearly two decades ago.
“They had ran down here from the fire department and then they brought the truck a little bit later and put out the fire and saved the building,” White said.
He’s hoping to get results and show Duran the community is there for him.
“Just show him the love and support and that we’re all thinking about him,” White said.
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