2016 in Review: Remembering Norristown's Boy Hero, Sanford Harling

This story originally appeared on Patch in February of 2016.

NORRISTOWN, PA -- The funeral of a 12-year-old boy who died in a fire in Norristown last week was attended by hundreds of well-wishers on Saturday.

The Christian Network Outreach United Church of Christ on Swede Street held services for Sanford Harling III, who died trying to save his father from a catastrophic blaze on February 5.

A Norristown fire truck stood outside the church and held a banner that reportedly read “Our Little Hero.”
The church was completely filled, according to eyewitnesses.

If firefighters and police department hailing him as a hero weren’t enough proof, just ask the 6,000 odd individuals from around the country that either liked, shared, or donated money to his family after his death.

In a matter of days, more than $30,000 has been raised in Sanford’s name for his family in a GoFundMe campaign that drew attention from across the nation.

Sanford was a member of the Norristown Youth Eagles and played on their 6th grade team in 2015. The Eagles are responsible for launching the fundraiser.

“On the football field, Sanford could be seen cheering on his teammates and praying for them,” the Eagles wrote on Sanford. “Off the field, his personality was bright and comical.”

Although the rest of Sanford’s family survived, they face unimaginable hardship as they cope with the loss of their son and their home, which was destroyed in the fire.

Over the weekend, the Norristown Fire Department were in the neighborhood where the destructive fire took place. They were joined by the Red Cross as they passed out fire safety material to residents.

To view or donate to the campaign for Sanford, please see here.

Image via GoFundMe.