Cole Hodges first learned to rope horses when he was 4 years old. The Alabama boy, 12, dreams of making roping his career.

On Friday, severe storms that roared through east Alabama produced lightning killed two of Cole’s roping horses last week after it struck the shelter they were under.

“They both died instantly, side-by -side. It was a traumatic experience for him. Heartbreaking and devastating. A lot of time, effort, and training went into these horses. He took it hard. He bonded with them,” said Marlo Fetner, who organized a GoFundMe campaign to help Cole replace the horses.

Rusty, a horse used for calf roping, and Mingo, died from the lightning strikes in Roanoke, in Randolph County, said Fetner.

Cole, who is a member of the Jr. High Roping Association and student at Handley Middle School, traveled everywhere with Rusty and Mingo, Fetner said. The 12-year-old Alabama boy spent all of his free time practicing with his roping horses.

“He dreams of winning the National Roping World Series one day. Losing Mingo and Rusty both is devastating for him. Please join me in helping him,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page she organized.

Fetner hopes to raise $25,000 for Cole. As of late Monday afternoon, the campaign has raised more than $1,500.

You can donate to the fundraiser below: