Paul Vienneau to get new wheelchair after online campaign

A Halifax man who helped clear ice and snow from streets and sidewalks this winter is getting a new wheelchair, thanks to a wave of online support.

Hundreds of people raised more than $8,000 for Paul Vienneau in just three days through the online fundraising website GoFundMe.

Vienneau became something of a local celebrity after people started seeing him around the city chipping away at the ice.

Icy roads and sidewalks made it nearly impossible for the Halifax photographer to get around. As a result, he missed weeks of work.

"I spent a few weeks not being able to go out to work or do anything and feeling increasingly isolated and sort of helpless about my life. [I] borrowed a piece of metal rod and a plastic shovel and it sort of set into motion. I feel completely connected back into my life," he said.

Donations continue to pour in with more than $8,500 raised since the campaign began four days ago. 

'This is so generous'

"Humbled is almost too light of a word to use. It's almost like everybody that donated is writing me a love letter or something, like I'm giddy," he said.

The fundraiser was started by local journalist Jack Scrine who interviewed Vienneau for his website, Halifolks.

Several readers commented the 12-year-old chair looked to be in rough condition.

"I went to CycleSmith to get my bearings changed to my front castors and the service guy said the old bearing casings had fused to my axels so essentially welded on there from the briny salt I was sitting in, and it took some muscle power to get them off," he said. 

A reader suggested someone start a fundraising page so Vienneau could get a new wheelchair. With his blessing, the page was created and more than 200 people donated.

"This just kind of completely reinforced a lot of things that I love about Halifax. There are negative things about every city but the people of Halifax are very kind. This is so generous," said Vienneau.

He said he'd like to see any extra money raised above the $8,000 goal go toward helping someone else.