Hamlin's 2020 Toy Drive surges to over $2.5M after he collapsed

Damar Hamlin’s GoFundMe Toy Drive started in December 2020 to raise $2,500 for families hit by the pandemic surges to over $3MILLION – after the Bills safety collapsed and was rushed to hospital

  • Damar Hamlin collapsed after colliding with Bengals receiver Tee Higgins 
  • The Buffalo Bills safety is in a critical condition in hospital after having CPR  
  • A Toy Drive Hamlin started in 2020 has now received an incredible surge 
  • Its initial target was $2,500, with donations skyrocketing to $3million  

A toy drive fundraiser started by NFL star Damar Hamlin in 2020 has skyrocketed to $3million after the Buffalo Bills safety collapsed on the field against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday.

Hamlin is in a critical condition in hospital after needing CPR following his tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins in the first quarter. The 24-year-old got up briefly before falling backwards to the ground. 

As tributes and messages of support have flooded in for Hamlin, a Go FundMe fundraiser he started just over two years ago – to purchase toys for children during the holidays – has been given an incredible boost. 

A Toy Drive started by Damar Hamlin has received an incredible boost after the Buffalo Bills safety collapsed on the field against the Cincinnati Bengals

The fundraiser initially hoped to raise $2,500 – it has now skyrocketed to $3million 

Its initial target was to raise just $2,500 for families during the pandemic and eventually the Toy Drive rose to $2,921 – but it has now surged to $2.5m in the wake of Hamlin’s incident. 

Previously Hamlin spoke about why he started the Toy Drive, saying he felt it was important for children to have role models in their lives.  

‘Just seeing role models in person. I feel like that’s big in kids’ lives and that’s something that we haven’t always had in Pittsburgh,’ he said.

‘Just being younger and seeing the difference from some people that had that role models in their life.

Cam Lewis and Siran Neal of the Buffalo Bills react to teammate Hamlin collapsing

Hamlin stressed the need for role models after initially announcing his Toy Drive in 2020

‘It could be you all you have to do is just work hard, stay focused. I’m thankful that I can even be in this position to give back.’

After Hamlin was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Monday, his friend and marketing rep Jordon Rooney said on Twitter: ‘His vitals are back to normal and they have put him to sleep to put a breathing tube down his throat. They are currently running tests. 

‘We will provide updates as we have them.’

Hamlin was surrounded by players from both sides and treated for 16 minutes before being immobilized and taken off the field. Players on both teams were visibly stunned by what had happened and many were in tears on the field. The game was postponed by the NFL.

Bills players watch on as Hamlin is taken into an ambulance and rushed to hospital

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen reacts to the injury of his teammate Hamlin

Teammate Stefon Diggs later joined Hamlin at the hospital. About 100 Bills fans and a few Bengals fans gathered on a corner one block from the emergency room entrance with some of them holding candles.

While medical personnel were gathered around Hamlin, his playing uniform was cut off. 

Hamlin’s agent Ira Turner told NFL Network: ‘Please continue to pray for Damar and his family. We currently have no update at this time. Will ask that you keep the family in your prayers.’

Higgins, the man Hamlin was tackling, tweeted: ‘My prayers and thoughts go out to @HamlinIsland (and) the Hamlin Family. I’m praying that you pull through bro. Love.’

Bills cornerback Siran Neal (33) and running back Nyheim Hines (20) embrace one another

A statement released by the league read: ‘Hamlin received immediate medical attention on the field by team and independent medical staff and local paramedics. He was then transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.

‘Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available. The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game.’

Bills players were visibly praying for their teammate after he was driven away. According to ESPN, Hamlin’s family were watching the game and came down to be with him as he left in the ambulance.


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