Fundraiser held for migrant workers killed in Hampstead crash
Posted February 18, 2012 11:13 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A community rallied together Saturday night, to raise money for the families of the migrant workers killed in what became one of Ontario’s worst traffic fatalities.
The migrant workers were killed on Feb. 6 when the passenger van they were travelling in ran a stop sign on Line 47. A truck travelling south on Perth Road 107 hit the van, killing 10 of the 13 people inside.
The truck driver, Christopher Fulton, 38, of London, was also killed.
Hundreds gathered together at a Kitchener banquet hall to honour the migrant workers and to raise much-needed money for their families abroad.
“I am here to support and donate as much as I can,” said Kitchener resident Blanca.
Nine of the victims were from impoverished Peruvian villages. They came to Canada to try and support their families back home. Many had been working on farms in the area.
Organizers hoped to raise $10,000. A book of condolences will also be sent to Peru.
“We are celebrating their lives – the way they come here, they come to work hard, to do something better for them and their lives back home,” said friend and organizer Otto.
