Mother of Youth Thanks Community for “Overwhelming Generosity” In Wake of Assault
Photo – Tracey McBride (left) and Lorna Dickson (right) speak to the mother and 15-year-old youth at their home on Sunday, March 9, 2020.
The mother of a 15-year-old boy who was assaulted outside a store on Division Street on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 has issued a statement thanking members of the public for their support.
A video of the assault has gone viral along with outrage from the community about the violence involved and that no one would step-in and help the youth.
Even though he is a victim and the mother gave permission for his name to be released, under the terms under the Youth Criminal Justice Act he cannot be identified.
In the statement the mother reaches out to the suspect and his family and is offering anything left from the GoFundMe money raised to go to support the suspect in counseling
The statement reads:
“I first need to start by saying; I am beyond so thankful for all the kind words, thoughtfulness and care that has come from the community.
At first, I was very sad at what happened and I guess I still am, but after reading all the kind things people said, all the love and encouragement everyone gave, it has helped us begin to feel better.
It is so great to know that so many people; our community, family and friends have our backs.
It means the world to my son; he is so grateful and still in shock that so many people are willing to do things just to make him feel better.
The best part is; it’s working. This support has been of the things that have got him through the last couple of days.
When he’s allowed screen time, he reads all the amazing things everyone has said, and it really brings a smile to his face. Which is exactly what he needs at the moment.
Wow!!!!
Just wow.
I never in a million years would’ve ever thought a ‘Go Fund Me’ page would be created for my son and would have so many wonderful people giving so much love to him, through their kindness and generosity.
I cannot express how much I’m still in disbelief and how forever grateful I am to everyone.
My sister told me to turn on my phone and look at it what everyone had sent and shared.
I was in shock, disbelief, and in tears. The whole house was.
Thank you everybody so much for everything and know that my son is doing better with the help of all of you!
We still know it will be a very long road for him and for the family, but mostly for him.
Right now all I want to do is make sure that he is okay and to make sure that this never happens to any innocent child, teen or person ever again.
Through the kindness of so many people, my son will be able to access support and services for his healing process.
This gift is something that we are so grateful for and we would never be able to express the level of appreciation it deserves.
Because of this overwhelming generosity of others, we would also like to offer support to the boy who hurt my son so that he may have the opportunity to heal also.
I need to give a very special thanks to, first responders and staff at Northumberland Hills Hospital, responding police officers, Damien Cunningham and Danielle McKeen, Chief Paul VanderGraaf who came to visit my son at home, Kawartha Vision, for the donation of a new pair of glasses, two local business owners who anonymously donated a new cell phone, Symmetry Counselling Service for offering free emergency counselling, We Fix You, for offering therapy, Chris Macaulay at United Brazilian Jui Jitsu, Johnathan Caverly at Limitless Brazilian Jui Jitsu, everyone who organized fundraising, everyone who donated through ‘Go Fund Me’ and Facebook, the countless people who sent messages and comments on social media posts and our friends and family.
There are so many people to thank. Thank you so much.
My family and I will never forget this moment, and this moment will be a good one from now on because of everyone’s kindness, support and love. Thank you, thank you so much, sincerely from the bottom of our hearts.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love