Advertisement

Five-year-old church massacre survivor's heartbreaking Christmas wish

A young survivor of the Sutherland Springs church massacre has revealed his heartbreaking Christmas wish as he recovers in hospital.

Five-year-old Ryland Ward was shot five times during the church shooting last month that claimed the lives of his mother and two sisters as well as 23 others.

But the young boy hasn't been told about the tragic loss of his family in the November 5 attack by gunman Devin Patrick Kelley.

"They still haven't told him yet that his mom and sisters are dead, but I'm sure he's kind of getting some kind of idea because he's five," his grandmother Sandy Ward told KSAT.

Ryland Ward was shot five times during the Sutherland Spring massacre. Source: GoFundMe
Ryland Ward was shot five times during the Sutherland Spring massacre. Source: GoFundMe

And despite his ordeal and facing the festive period in hospital, Ryland has vowed to remain positive and has called on the help of the general public to bring some happiness into his life.

The Ward family are asking for strangers to send him Christmas cards containing a dollar for him to decorate his hospital room while putting the money towards a go-kart for Christmas.

"You got so many nice people that are sending a card and a dollar to Ryland," Ms Ward said. "He does really enjoy that a lot."

The shooting claimed the lives of 26 people, including Ryland's two sisters and his mother. Source: Getty
The shooting claimed the lives of 26 people, including Ryland's two sisters and his mother. Source: Getty

She also revealed he gets great pleasure from receiving images of other children and their pets.

The family has also set up a GoFundMe page to help cover Ryland's continuing medical costs.

Those wanting to send a card to Ryland can do so at the following address.

Ryland Ward
P.O. Box 174
Sutherland Springs, Texas,
United States 78161