After her gardens were ruined by partying students on the weekend, a Broughdale Ave. senior is learning that there are students who care about their neighbourhood.
An online fundraiser, launched on GoFundMe by Western student Maya Bielecki, has raised more than twice its original goal to purchase new flowers and shrubs for Bess Srahulek.
"Bess, affectionately known as the Broughdale Grandma, has lived on the street since the 60s. She's seen many homecomings, but for the first time this Saturday, students walked onto her yard and trampled her flowers. She's very upset because the garden was planted by her late husband," Bielecki wrote on the GoFundMe page.
Bielecki says the money will be used to purchase new flowers and shrubs, along with a fence that will surround the garden to prevent a repeat of Saturday's damage.
The campaign sought to raise $400, but as of Wednesday morning, $940 had been raised. Donations are no longer being accepted. However, Bielecki is still looking for volunteers to donate some elbow grease on Thursday.
"On Thursday October 5 at 3pm, anyone who is interested can come to 167 Broughdale (bring shovels and gloves if you have them). We will walk over to Bess' house and plant the flowers for her," she wrote on the page. "Let's show the London community that the students that did this do not represent us!"