Family and friends are organizing a fundraiser to help create a permanent memorial for the high school student who died in a car crash at the start of the school year.
Calls for a permanent memorial follow the city’s contentious removal of the skate park graffiti murals dedicated to high school senior, Jorden Child.
“The goal of the fundraiser is to raise enough money to purchase a special item to be placed in Abbotsford where friends and family can visit and remember Jorden,” said organizer Sonia Sharma-Dherari in a social media post.
The event is called “Burger n’ Beverage Fundraiser” and will be held at the Abbey Road Taphouse at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 16.
“Honoring the life of someone who has touched yours in a way that you will never forget,” Sharma-Dherari said. “We will miss you, we will cherish you and we will remember the great memories you created on this short time on earth.”
Child was leaving a high school grad party in the Chilliwack River Valley area when the car he was driving crashed into a tree in the early hours of Sept. 3. He was pronounced dead on scene.
RELATED: Abbotsford teen confirmed as victim of fatal car crash in Chilliwack
Over 100 people attended a vigil for Child that night at the skate park he frequented. McMillan skate park became a popular place among his peers for remembering their lost friend. Within a week, numerous graffiti murals were made on the park’s concrete with Child’s name.
The city’s decision to power-wash the murals away drew criticism from many in the community who said it was an inconsiderate response to their grief.
Fellow skater Travis Reginer said he couldn’t understand the city’s actions considering the work that went into the graffiti art.
“[This is] almost borderline disrespecting Jorden’s memorial and the grieving process of everybody at the skate park,” he said. “It’s really upset a lot of the kids there. A lot of these kids are not even 16 years old.”
RELATED: City erases skate park graffiti mural dedicated to recently deceased Abbotsford student
Tickets for the fundraiser cost $25 dollars and can be purchased at the Abbey Road Taphouse from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Oct. 16.
The event will feature a 50/50 draw and a raffle to help raise funds, cash donations will also be accepted.
While the event is open to the public, there are limited tickets.
Child’s parents will also be attending the event.