After a horrific week in London began with news of the largest mass murder in the city's history, it's ending with a message of hope.
Sydney Vickers, the creator of Hope's Hugs, dropped off blankets for members of the Muslim community in London - including 9-year-old Fayez Salman, who was orphaned in the attack - at city hall on Friday.
"I gave out 10 blankets to the Muslim community and a blanket to the little boy," Vickers said, "I hope it can give them hope, Ontario, Canada and the world hope. It's something small that can give them hope during this tragic time."
Vickers is a grade 11 student at Clarke Road Secondary School. She started Hope's Hugs in 2017.
"I give out hug blankets that wrap around your shoulders like a shawl, and I give them out for free to anyone who feels they need a hug," Vickers said.
She presented the blankets to London Mayor Ed Holder and Ward 2 Councillor Shawn Lewis.
She has given out 16,000 blankets all over Canada, and plans to expand internationally.
Fayez Salman, as well as his father Salman, his mother Madiha, his grandmother Talat and his sister Yumna, were hit by a truck on Sunday evening. Only Fayez survived the attack, which London police say was racially motivated. A 20-year-old man faces four counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
An interview with Vickers by Blackburn News Podcast host Craig Needles is below.
[audio mp3="https://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sydney-Vickers.mp3"][/audio]
