The campaign to support Captain Danny Ledford, a beloved third-generation fisherman from St. Augustine, has swelled to nearly $112,000 — fueled by an outpouring of generosity from the local fishing community and beyond.
A standout contribution came from fellow angler Jimmy Laidler, who auctioned off two fishing trips, raising $13,500, and personally added an extra $1,000, bringing his total donation to $14,500.
The gesture exemplified the tight-knit nature of the St. Johns County fishing community, where families have worked local waters for generations.
“Everyone in the fishing community knows Danny,” Jimmy said. “We’re a close-knit group. Most of us have done this in some way or another our whole lives, and we know each other in some way.”
POPULAR ST. AUGUSTINE RESTAURANT MOVING AFTER A DECADE
Born in St. Augustine in 1972 and raised in Vilano Beach, Danny began fishing as a toddler. By age 13, he was working alongside his father on a 48-foot sport fisher, continuing a family tradition that began with his grandfather.
Now, this lifelong fisherman finds himself in forbidding waters. Diagnosed with brain cancer, Danny is undergoing treatment at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. Two large tumors on the front of his brain have caused significant swelling.
A second craniotomy was successful, and Ledfords believe the entire tumor was removed, though recovery near the speech center may affect his speech.
His wife, Jenny, is by his side in ICU as he faces an arduous road ahead with chemo, radiation, and ongoing care.
The GoFundMe campaign, launched by family friends to help cover mounting medical bills and living expenses, reflects the deep roots and enduring commitment the Ledford family has to the St. Johns County community.
Laidler described the emotional weight of Danny’s diagnosis: “My first reaction was, ‘What if this was me? What kind of situation would I be in?’ It’s heartbreaking. No one knows how this is going to turn out.”
Local resident Ron Hilliard, he said, was the high bidder for the auctioned trip.
“This support is crucial—not just for unexpected medical bills but for everyday expenses like mortgage and utilities,” Jimmy said. “When a dad in a family faces something like this, it’s tough mentally and emotionally. You have to do what you can. We want to provide some light at the end of the tunnel.”
