Berkeley students are rallying around one of their own, striving to raise $20,000 for a student burned in a fiery bike accident.

Sixteen-year-old Dejon Simmons was involved in a bike accident on July 24 where he received third-degree burns to 97 percent of his body.

He was rushed off the Island to the Boston Shriners Hospital, a paediatric hospital for severe burn victims. Dejon is still recovering at the hospital, and his rehabilitation is expected to be a lengthy and expensive one.

Students from Berkeley, where Dejon is an S3 student, are raising money through a charity walk on December 17 to aid Dejon and his family. ?There?s so much money to be raised,? Berkeley head boy Steven Caisey said. ?We?re trying to raise about $20,000.?

?Dejon is a friend of mine,? head girl Taqwa Talbot added. ?I really, really, really want him to get better, and to get better soon.?

Students have been sending letters of encouragement to Dejon, while some have flown up to Boston to visit him. Two of his teachers ? physical education teacher Arnold Manders and teacher Rachael Smith ? have also visited him.

?When one of us faces a crisis, we should rally around and be supportive,? Berkeley principal Michelle Gabisi said at a Press conference at the school yesterday. ?This is the crisis of his life.

?We are hoping for the wider Bermudian community to support us as well.?

Students will be going around to friends, neighbours, families and places of business in their effort to drum up donations for the walkathon.

Dejon?s mother Flo Simons and his stepmother Arlene Simmons were also at Berkeley yesterday. On behalf of the family, including Dejon?s father and stepfather, Mrs. Simmons thanked Bermudians for their support. ?We?re grateful to this great community,? she said.