PROCTORVILLE — What should have been a fun time spending an afternoon at a friend’s swimming pool turned into a challenge for a Proctorville family.

Now a community is coming together show its support by reaching out with a special fundraiser on Friday.

“My best friend’s husband was injured in a diving accident and is now paralyzed from the chest down,” Angela Floyd said.

John Paul Kelley, who turned 30 this past Saturday, is now trying to get his life and health back at Shepherd Center, a spinal cord injury rehab center in Atlanta, Ga.

“He has made progress,” Floyd said. “They say to be patient. It may take a long time.”

The Chesapeake High School graduate was working at Reushlein’s Jewelers at the time of his accident.

“Reushlein’s, they are being tremendous to help fund raise,” Floyd said. “They are keeping his job for him.”

As medical expenses mount for the father of a 4-month-old daughter, his friends are organizing a Light Up the Night JPK 5-K Glo Run through the streets of Proctorville on Friday. So far 370 runners have registered bringing in more than $9,000 for the cause with 80 others as sponsors.

By his side through the ordeal has been Kelley’s wife, Jessica.

“She is amazing, strong and supportive,” Floyd said. “She is one of those women who is doing what she has to do. She is taking it as it comes.”

The 5K starts at 8:30 p.m. with registration in front of Kroger’s at 6 p.m. Registration fee is $25 per runner. T-shirts and glow sticks and necklaces will be available and runners are asked to bring their own as well.

The run goes down State Street to State Route 775, circling the cul de sac and coming back through the village.

Proctorville Mayor Rick Dunfee said the entire village will be shut down from 8 to 9:30 p.m. from the Kroger’s to Paddy Creek. Those traveling through the village are asked to use Irene Road or the Proctorville Bypass.

“This is the first time we have ever done this,” Dunfee said. “There may be some bugs to work out, but we are going to make this work.”