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The close-knit local hockey community is rallying around a 14-year-old player who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.

After learning that Patrick Westlake MacLeod, who has played in the Weston Hockey League, faced a tough three-year treatment to fight off acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a fundraising committee consisting of hockey parents formed to support his family.

"Everybody is trying different fundraisers," said Valerio Ferreira, whose son played on the same hockey team as Patrick.�He noted that Patrick's entire family was a big supporter of the local hockey league with his father, Patrick Sr., coaching for years and his younger brother, Tyler, playing hockey as well.

Patrick's mother, Shauna, is also often seen helping out at Weston League fundraising events.

The committee, which was named after Patrick, decided to show its support for the family and help cover some of the unexpected costs of treating the illness by holding a fundraising dinner last Friday at Churrascao Market Grill on Rogers Road.

About 100 people attended the sold-out event. One of the guests was former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Eddie Shack, who brought some gifts for Patrick, which included an autographed poster of Don Cherry and a personalized goalie stick from Johnny Bower.

A silent auction was also held during the dinner with people contributing more than $5,000 by the end of the night.

"It was emotional for the family and for the boy," Ferreira said. "That night, he had a lot of smiles on his face."

A skateathon at Weston Lions Arena is being planned as the next fundraising event.