A GoFundMe campaign has been launched in support of a 10-year-old girl who was robbed and assaulted on the streets of downtown Vancouver while out buying breakfast for her family last weekend.
The "small fundraiser" was created by the Young Families of Metro Vancouver community in an effort to provide the girl's mother, Adriana, with "financial relief to help her daughter and the family recover from this traumatic experience."
The young family— which reportedly includes three children aged 10 and under— were headed out for breakfast on March 6 after discovering the stove in their new home was broken. The family had recently relocated to Vancouver from Mexico.
While waiting in line outside a restaurant, a woman allegedly approached their 10-year-old daughter, reached inside the girl's jacket and grabbed the $50 bill that the girl had intended to use to pay for the meal.
When she chased the robber in an attempt to recover the money, the suspect allegedly elbowed the girl in the face, splitting her lip and causing a nose bleed, according to police.
Bystanders called 911 and prevented the woman from fleeing. She was subsequently arrested for robbery and taken to jail. The girl, meanwhile, was treated by paramedics before returning home with her father, and the recovered $50 bill.
"We are also going to organize groceries for [her family] to minimize being forced to go out," campaign organizers explain in the GoFundMe's description. "[Adriana's] daughter is still terrified to leave the apartment and potentially see the person that assaulted her on the street."
In just two days, the campaign has already raised over $4,700 of its $5,000 goal. Several donors posted kind, uplifting messages alongside their contributions, with one reading, "Welcome to Canada. I hope you and your family find some peace and a happy future here."
Another wrote, "We are so deeply sorry for what happened to your daughter this past week. No child should ever have to go through something like that. She is an incredibly brave and strong little girl. We can’t imagine how traumatic this all must be for her and your entire family. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all.
"We hope it brings some comfort to know there is a whole community of people around you who care, and love and support you," the post continued. "We wish you and your family all the best for the future and hope that Canada can still prove that it is the safe and happy home you hoped and dreamed it could be. Healing hugs to you all."
The deadline for donations is set for Friday, March 19 at 11:59 p.m.
The public online fundraiser comes on the heels of a collective effort by members of the Vancouver Police Department, who raised more than $200 in funds for the family after learning of the circumstances surrounding the disturbing incident.
- With files from Brendan Kergin
