'She was making people happy wherever she was': Friends of crash victims rally for their families
A fatal two-car collision last week robbed the world of what friends describe as a “shining light.”
“She was amazing. She was nice, and I know that she was making other people happy wherever she was,” said Cohen McQueen, one of the organizers of a fundraiser for family of Chloe MacKenzie who died in the crash, and Jacob Cloney, who is still in hospital with serious injuries from the accident.
“He’s one of the nicest dudes I’ve ever known,” said Marshall Tessier of his longtime friend.
The group of friends are still dealing with the grief of the accident which occurred on Bostwick Road between Southdale and Wharncliffe roads on Feb. 1.
It is difficult, but the group of friends instantly wanted to support both of the families that are dealing with the aftermath.
“You want to be there as much as possible, but you also don't want to overstep anything or put any more like harm on the families that they're already dealing with stuff, you don't want to overwhelm them at all,” said McQueen.
The area of Bostwick Road and Wharncliffe Road South in London, Ont. remain closed on Feb. 1, 2023 as police respond to a serious evening collision. (Jenn Basa/CTV News London)A GoFundMe campaign was started to help the families deal with any financial implications that come with tragedy — and it quickly exceeded expectations.
“It was every hour, not even like, we'd be like, ‘Oh, we're at our new goal. Another thousand [dollars], another thousand [dollars],’” recalled Tessier.
At the time of publication, the GoFundMe has raised more than $21,000.
This Friday, they have planned a hockey fundraiser set to begin at 10:30 a.m., with pick up hockey games at Brookeside Arena, and a raffle of prizes that have been donated. The funds raised will be going to the families.
“If they still want to come and support, there's going to be a ton of raffle items that are going to go off and they’re great items, to be honest,” said McQueen.
Ward 2 Coun. Shawn Lewis lives down the street from the Cloney family. He knows Jacob well, and met Chloe when their group of friends hung out with his nephew. He’s proud of the way the group of friends has banded together.
“They've surrounded each other, lifted each other up, talking through how they're feeling and taking this situation and not knowing what else to do,” he said. “Putting into action by helping raise funds to support the families through what's obviously a terrible time.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.