Hayley Jensen Shares Fundraiser As Country Music Community Rallies To Support Fan

Hayley Jensen has shared a GoFundMe fundraiser for Stuart Kennedy, one of the most loyal country music fans in Australia, as he deals with the “horrible reality” of having his lower leg amputated.

According to Jensen’s post, shared on Facebook today, Stuart is the type of fan who attends every gig he can possibly make it to, buying merchandise, travelling through New South Wales and beyond—most of the time on public transport—while on crutches, and surprising Jensen and other artists by attending the “most unexpected” of shows. He’s been doing this consistently for many years.

Jensen writes that the next few months will be tough for Kennedy, as he spends the next eight weeks in hospital in order to recover from the surgery and begin his rehabilitation.

Kennedy is also currently on leave without pay and is unsure when he’ll be able to return to work. By sharing the fundraiser, Jensen hopes that she and his supporters will be able to alleviate some of the financial strain as he recovers.

At the time of publication, $2,110 of the $5,000 fundraiser goal has been raised.

Jensen wrote, “Folks, I don’t often share these things because I know my page would become inundated… but Stuart Kennedy has supported me & so many of us artists with great passion for many, many years we would love it if you could please help us return the favour and support him with a generous donation to help cover his rent, bills and ongoing medical expenses.

“Stuart remains positive about his health and future and is dealing with all of this like a champion.

“Please help us take the pressure off him financially so he can remain focused on his health and recovery.

“We truly appreciate anything you can donate towards Stuart's recovery!”

When his close friend Rebecca Henry—also the fundraiser organiser—visited Kennedy in the hospital, she found him wearing his Hayley Jensen T-shirt.

Country stars and industry members, including Amber Lawrence, The Weeping Willows, Megan Hopkins, Jay Seeney, and others, have donated to the fundraiser.

You can contribute to the GoFundMe here. It’s encouraged to share it with your community, too.

Last year, Hayley Jensen teamed up with Countrytown to discuss the album that changed her life. You can find out what album it was here. More recently, she’s locked in a video premiere of her track Stomping Ground, and this November, she will be part of a newly launched concert series called Country Crush.