Badly burned #KnysnaFire horse

Badly burned #KnysnaFire horse is in desperate need of crowdfunding for medical treatment

This is an absolute punch in the feels

Badly burned #KnysnaFire horse

A Knysna family are appealing for help in their hour of need, and looking to crowd-fund R40,000 to keep their badly burnt horse alive.

Cody is one of the 14 horses that fled Essendale farm as flames and smoke engulfed the Knysna region. Initially, eight of the escapees were recovered and taken back home.

Cody, however, was one of those guided across the N2, believed to be safe from the devastating inferno. In a cruel, tragic twist, the fire managed to jump the highway and burn on the side presumed to be  ‘out of harm’s way’.

Read: SA Legionnaire to walk Nijmegen March to raise funds for #KnysnaFires

An extensive search was carried out for the missing gelding. Thermal drones, helicopters and 4×4’s looked off-road and across forests to try and find him.

Eventually, Cody was found just 100m from his home on June 23rd, covered in burns, extensively to his face. Struggling to see, it was feared that euthanasia may be the best thing for the stricken horse.

However, his owner Karen Lambrechts had no time for such a tragic ending. She insisted that Cody receives treatment as he’s already proved he’s tough enough to survive with his 16-day trek to get back home.

SAVA disaster relief funds have so far covered the medical bills for this brave horse, but now the family must provide their own funds to carry on his treatment. He still requires further surgery and treatment to his eyes.

The Lambrechts are still trying piece their life together again after the blazes that destroyed Knysna last month. They are desperately struggling to find the cash to keep Cody on his road to recovery and need all the help they can get.

Watch: Terrifying footage shows how quickly #KnysnaFires spread

If you’ve been touched by Cody’s miraculous survival story, you can donate using the link below. All contributions are welcome, and the family have managed to raise R15,000 in the last two days.

With your help, something truly wonderful could come from such a terrible tragedy:

Cody’s BackABuddy Crowdfunding Page