Disney has unveiled a lighthouse memorial in honour of the two-year-old boy killed in a tragic accident last year while visiting Disney World with his family. Lane Graves was dragged to his death by an alligator at Disney World in Orlando while he and his family, including his sister Ella, were vacationing there in June 2016.
Two-year-old Lane Graves was building a sandcastle on the edge of the lagoon at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa when he was dragged into the water by an alligator. His father, Matt Graves, tried unsuccessfully to free his son, sustaining multiple cuts and scratches.
As Mr Graves and his wife Melissa grieved the loss of their child, they set up a foundation in their son’s honour called “The Lane Thomas Foundation” which is dedicated to providing financial support for non-medical expenses to families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants at Omaha healthcare facilities. The foundation was named Lane Thomas because if Lane was ever asked his name, he would say, “I’m Lane Thomas, I’m two”.
The gold brick lighthouse features two blue stars and a plaque that reads, “Presented to the Lane Thomas Foundation. A beacon of hope. A light of love.”
A Disney spokesperson told TODAY, “The lighthouse sculpture has been installed to help spread awareness of the Lane Thomas Foundation, which was established to provide assistance and support to families whose children need organ transplants.”
The Graves family said they find solace in Disney’s lighthouse.
“We find comfort that so many people continue to remember our sweet boy, Lane, and we believe the lighthouse stands as a beacon of hope and support for families in the depths of despair,” they said in a statement to the Orlando Sentinel. “We will continue to honour Lane and preserve his spirit through the Lane Thomas Foundation.”
