By Taylor MacPherson

UPDATE: Crowdfunding campaign for Humboldt Broncos breaks $1.5 million

Apr 7, 2018 | 12:18 AM

UPDATE: Less than 24 hours after it was first posted, the GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $1.5 million to support the victims and their families.

“Thank you so much to everyone for your generosity and words of love and support,” Slyvie Kellington, who started the campaign, wrote in an update. “I will be passing everything on to team management.”

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An online crowdfunding campaign to help victims and families after a fatal bus crash has raised more than $15,000 in only a few hours.

Humboldt resident Sylvie Kellington said she was shocked to learn of the fatal bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team Friday night. Kellington said she spoke with friends about how she could help, and started the GoFundMe page despite having no personal connection to any of the players.

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“We’re a really small community, and all of us here in Humboldt are definitely somehow connected to the team,” Kellington told paNOW.

Kellington said she hopes the funds ease some of the financial burden placed upon the families of the victims. She said the funds raised will be given directly to the Broncos’ management, in order to ensure all of the money reaches the families.

The support poured in from all across the country, Kellington said, and the total quickly grew well beyond her expectations.

“It’s been mind-blowing and just so heartwarming,” she said. “I’m just so grateful.”

Kellington said she joined other community members at the Humboldt Uniplex Friday night, where support was offered and shared.

“I was at the Uniplex with my daughter. My daughter’s in Grade 7 here at a local school,” she said. “She was quite upset tonight. The Broncos volunteer a lot around the community, and volunteer at the schools and spend time with the kids.”

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TaylorMacP