Brockton is going to consider setting up a memorial fund in memory for the four students and teacher from Walkerton who died in a collision last month.
Mayor Chris Peabody says at a meeting on May 27, council approved directing staff to look at possible ways to set up a memorial fund or scholarship, which is set to come back to council on Tuesday.
“We are going to take a look at setting up a scholarship fund and look for external partners to help fund that,” says Peabody. “I know there is a GoFundMe for another group doing a scholarship fund. We want to get the staff report there and make contact with them, work with the school board and any other community business people that would be interested in funding that.”
There are currently two GoFundMe campaigns up in response to the deaths of the students and teacher. The Walkerton District Community School Tragedy campaign has raised over $213,000, while the Riverhawks Memorial Scholarships campaign, which aims to create five academic and athletic scholarships for students at the school, and has raised over $12,000.
Brockton staff are proposing council consider a contribution in support of the individual memorial trusts set up through the school board, or consider a donation towards a memorial garden at the school, which is currently being considered.
Additionally, Peabody says he, along with his wife, have begun working on a memorial tree planting.
“We are going to be donating five trees and start a memorial growth of trees beside the junior baseball diamond in Lobies Park in Walkerton and we do have a memorial tree program,” says Peabody.
He says it has been a very difficult time for the region.
“The mood in the town is extremely somber and people are very saddened by this as I am,” says Peabody. “Going forward, I just hope the spirit that people in Bruce Grey have shown in solidarity and support can help us to adapt to this tragic loss that we have suffered.”
Council will consider making a decision on Tuesday.
