Crowdfunding donations flood in to victims of Lynn Valley knife attack

Donations are flooding in to several public fundraising campaigns set up to assist victims of Saturday’s stabbing attack in Lynn Valley.

The most recent of those has been set up for 22-year-old Emma Henderson, a Simon Fraser University student and Lynn Valley resident who attended both Argyle and Carson Graham Secondary.

Organizers of the GoFundMe campaign wrote that Henderson suffered extensive injuries to her face and hands in Saturday’s attack and she’s had to put her studies on hold to focus on healing.

Craig Henderson, Emma’s uncle, added in a social media post that his niece is “doing OK” and has even visited the scene of the attack.

“She was very touched by the massive display of flowers there, close to where all the mayhem took place Saturday,” wrote Craig Henderson in a Facebook post. “We’re confident she can muster the skills and heart to carry on forward with her aspirations.”

The campaign had received over $28,500 within the first day, which will go towards “immediate costs of counselling and medical care for Emma and her family as she recovers from this traumatic attack,” according to organizer Diana Kay.

Classmates, former classmates, neighbours, co-workers and strangers are among those who have donated.

“As a fellow Argyle grad, a fellow SFU student, and a former colleague at London Drugs, I’m hopeful these collective funds can make a positive impact on Emma’s recovery and future,” wrote Alec McLeod.

“Emma, We don't know you personally but we believe in the power of community and want you to know that we are here to support you. We are sending our very best wishes for your recovery and well-being,” wrote another family who donated.

In a Facebook post, Emma’s mother, Jini Segulam Singh-Henderson, offered “heartfelt thanks to our Lynn Valley neighbours and the many others we don't know personally for their well-wishes, prayers and gifts dropped off for my daughter and our family.”

Donations have also been flooding in for Susanne Till, a North Vancouver mother of three and another victim of the knife attack.

That GoFundMe campaign had raised over $171,000 as of Tuesday.

Till, a single mother of three, is an active volunteer with several groups, including the Queensbury Elementary school community and RNB Dance school in Lynn Valley, as well as working full-time, according to campaign organizers.

“Susanne's injuries are extensive and life-changing and at this time it is unknown if she will need more surgery. Her rehabilitation will be exhaustive and she will not be able to return to work anytime in the near future,” according to organizers of the campaign. 

“The immediate and generous support from her community, near and far, has been simply overwhelming. Many caring comments and donations have flooded in from people who have never met Susanne but have laughed at her memes, bought kids toys from her or met her on a single parents group camping trip. It is simply amazing.”

A local non-profit has also launched a crowdfunding campaign, which aims to support all the victims of Saturday's stabbing spree in Lynn Valley.

Organized by Jacquie McCarnan of North Van Cares, the "Lynn Valley Victims" GoFundMe campaign was created in response to the outpouring of community concern following the attacks that took place in broad daylight in the tight-knit neighbourhood on the North Shore.

"The community of Lynn Valley is small in population but huge in heart and soul," writes McCarnan.

McCarnan describes the harrowing stabbing attack, adding: "The victims of this crime were our neighbours, friends, teachers. Brave bystanders jumped [in to] help at their own personal peril and were injured in the process."

In order to ensure proper distribution of the funds raised, the campaign will be governed by a committee made up of representatives from all of the victims' families and by the North Van Cares Foundation.

By 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the GoFundMe had raised almost $39,000 toward its $130,000 goal.