A hard-working and well-liked local barber has raised more than $7,500 on Go Fund Me so he and another hard-hit New Toronto businesses can stay afloat.

Andy Dinner, of Your Neighbourhood Barbershop, at 2858 Lake Shore Blvd. W., set out on May 20 to raise $4,000 to try and cover his shop’s rent and expenses for two months.

The fundraising campaign in about four hours raised $7,300 and rising from a stream of donations made by community residents and businesses, who are supporting our small businesses.

“It (campaign) is gaining some serious traction,” Dinner said on social media. “We do not want an extra dime over that initial $4,000.”

He has raised the goal to $10,000 and said “every dollar extra over the original $4,000 will be split to other Lakeshore businesses.”

Some other local businesses which are also struggling will receive part of the donations, he said.

“We will not bite off more than we can chew. This isn’t about that,” Dinner explained. “We are using this momentum and exposure to help our struggling neighbours.”

He never expected to be shut so long in lock downs and emergency orders in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

“Working for 88 days and then being forced to close for 180 days and counting, with no end date in sight was simply unimaginable,” he noted.

Dinner wrote that his shop is new and did not qualify for government grants or benefits.

“We did not expect the Ford government to fail so miserably at how they are dealing with the pandemic,” he stressed. “We did not expect our industry to be disrespected and neglected in such a blatantly offensive manner.”

“We feel like this is an attack and we are offended.”

He said ‘we are about to pay our seventh straight month of rent with no income.’

“I spent my entire life savings opening up this shop and then it has been months of paying rent and hydro for this shop that I can’t work out of,” Dinner said. “My savings are tapped, I have nothing left.”

Residents love the shop, which has won A LAMP Medal of Merit and Etobicoke GEM award for Best New Business.

Thomas Bates said he donated because “Andy is a remarkable young man and needs our support in these trying times. Every little bit helps. Let’s help someone that is known for helping others.”

Owen Newell dug into his wallet because Dinner is an “entrepreneur with good business savvy.”

“Small business is so important,” Erin Krausz wrote on a Go Fund Me page. “Thanks for being such a great part of the neighbourhood.”

“Andy is the most friendly and warm welcoming person on Lakeshore and doesn’t deserve to give up his dream,” said donor Ethan Cochrane.

Thomas McAuliffe donated and wrote “from your neighbours in Alderwood.”