Donations have begun pouring in for the family of Mike Downing, a longtime local and Beverly Hills firefighter who suffered a stroke after undergoing emergency heart surgery.
Downing, 49, has been a firefighter for 25 years is also popular in the Malibu surf community. He is married to Sabrina and has three children: Mariah, 23, Cheyne, 21, and Danica, 18.
“The Mike Downing Family Fund has been started by his friends to help him and his family handle the medical costs, loss of income, etc. Their focus now must be on Mike’s recovery,” according to the fundraiser’s organizer. “Ours can be to be of service through this much needed assistance fund.”
Downing has been in the hospital since late August.
To make a donation, click here or go to any branch of Wells Fargo Bank and give the teller the last name “Downing” and Malibu ZIP code, 90265.
Julie Eamer, a longtime friend of the Downing family, said he was recently moved from ICU to physical therapy at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.
“All our kids are the same age and grew up together in Malibu West,” Eamer said. “He’s really a pillar of the community.”
She added that a group of local musicians, including The Roman Helmets, are hoping to hold a community event as well in support of Downing’s recovery.
“The community rallying around somebody of their own is always important,” Eamer said. “Feeling the love and the prayers and the well wishes would help him, definitely. He’s got a long journey now and it’s not easy.”
As of Friday, more than $5,000 had been raised online. Click here to make a donation and read more about Downing.
