Joey Waters died last week after he was struck by a vehicle on Racecourse Road just days before his ninth birthday

He was walking home from his first day of the 2010 school year at Calare Public School.

The Orange business community has rallied to support Joey’s mother Kerrie, brothers Michael and Jacob and sisters Elise and Annie-Rose.

An Orange businessman, who wished to remain anonymous, had yesterday gathered up to $6000 from two dozen local businesses and organisations.

“When I heard the family was having difficulty with the costs I just got together with a few mates, picked up a few cheques and said let’s help these poor people out,” the businessman said.

Lee Bradbury of McMurtries and Co. Stonemasons will also waive the cost of whatever headstone the family selects.

“I just found myself imagining if that had been (Lee’s daughter and son in-law) Sarah and Jeremy’s boys and my heart just went out to them,” Mr Bradbury said yesterday.

Norman J Penhall Funerals has arranged to cover almost all other costs associated with Saturday morning’s service.

A typical funeral service could cost as much as $7,000, Deidre Penhall said.

“Helping each other out in country towns like this is the Australian way,” she said.

“This all means there will be a significant amount of money left over to return to the Waters family.”

Family friend David Scott and Orange City Council recently set up the Joey Waters Fund to assist with funeral costs.

At least $2300 has been donated.

Hundreds are expected to attend Joey Waters’ funeral service this Saturday. It will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church from 10.45am.