Scammers have targeted the family of a young fitness enthusiast killed while riding her motorbike by setting up a fake fundraising page in her name.
Jennifer Board, 22, was killed instantly after two cars collided and spun out of control at an intersection in Thuringowa Central, in Townsville, on Friday night.
Her devastated family released a statement on Sunday to explain they had seen a fundraising page had been set up ‘to cover the costs of her funeral’.
But they urged the public not to donate to any such fundraisers, explaining that they were fakes.
‘I can’t believe I actually have to write this, but last night a fake ‘GO FUND ME’ was set up to raise funds for Jennifer’s funeral expenses,’ John Board wrote in a post on Facebook.
Ms Board was hoping to become a police officer in Queensland, her family revealed
Her sister and best friend, Siana Board, (left) said Jennifer (right) was the ‘most genuine soul’ and had dreamed of becoming a police officer
‘Our family has not, and will not, be setting up any such type of fundraiser so please do not donate to them.’
The fundraising page was set up on a website called ‘gogetfunding’ and claims to have been made by a Graham Board – Ms Board’s ageing father.
Mr Board is suffering from the early stages of dementia and is crushed by his daughter’s death.
He still does not know too many details about his daughter’s death, given he has no access to the internet, but hopes she didn’t suffer.
The 22-year-old was killed when two out-of-control cars collided, forcing one to spin onto the other side of the road, where Ms Board was travelling on her motorbike.
One of the cars, a Hyundai sedan, was allegedly stolen, while the Holden Statesman also involved in the crash was allegedly driven by vigilantes trying to catch up with the driver.
The 22-year-old’s last post to Instagram showed her celebrating the moment she received her restricted motorcycle license, having got her learner’s permit three months earlier
Just two people have donated to the false fundraiser to raise a total of $20, but John Board encouraged anybody who had been duped to contact authorities.
Given the Board family would not be setting up a GoFundMe page, they have asked anybody who wants to donate to instead give to the Townsville Futsal Association.
‘Perhaps a donation to the Townsville Futsal Association would be a nice gesture,’ he suggested.
‘Siana and Jennifer were both trying to raise funds for this club in December.’
Siana, who was Ms Board’s sister and best friend, previously said her late sister was the ‘most genuine soul’, who loved the colour orange.
‘Jennifer has never hurt a single person in this life,’ Siana told the Courier Mail. ‘I couldn’t think of a worse person for this to happen to.’
Jennifer Board, 22, was killed instantly after two cars collided and spun out of control at an intersection in Thuringowa Central, in Townsville on Friday night
Siana also revealed that her sister had recently applied for the police service.
Having just moved to Darwin, she is now desperately trying to get back to Queensland to farewell her sister.
‘There are no flights today … it destroyed me to move away from her, and now this happens,’ Siana said.
Earlier on Sunday, Mr Board told the Courier Mail: ‘I couldn’t believe it, but I had to believe it.’
He hopes his only biological daughter’s death will force the Queensland government to take a tougher stance against youth crime.
‘So much of these stolen cars have been going on in Townsville and all they get is a slap on the fingers and they let them go out again,’ he said, reportedly as he slammed his fist down on his coffee table.
Ms Board has been remembered as a ‘kind, bubbly and adventurous’ woman who will be ‘dearly missed’ within her community
Following her death, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced sweeping changes would be introduced in parliament this week to deal with juvenile criminals.
She said on Saturday that ‘everything is on the table’ but has not yet gone into detail about the changes.
‘I met yesterday with the Ministers for Police and Youth Justice and the Attorney-General as well as the heads of their departments and there will be announcements,’ she said.
The Premier said the crash was ‘a terrible tragedy on so many levels’.
‘My thoughts and prayers go out to loved ones, family and friends.’
Jennifer Board, 22, (pictured) was killed after she was hit by a vehicle that had just ploughed into another car at an intersection in Thuringowa Central, in Townsville on Friday night
Ms Board (pictured) had been riding down the road just before 10pm on Friday when she was struck
Police alleged after the crash the stolen Hyundai fled the scene before the car was found abandoned in Garbutt an hour later.
The alleged driver of the Holden, a 25-year-old Bushland Beach man and his two passengers, a 41-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have any information regarding the incident to come forward as investigations continue.
The collision allegedly happened after a vigilante member of the public decided to ‘aggressively’ follow the allegedly stolen car, crossing the median strip of the road into the motorcycle’s path.
Superintendent Glen Ponting said: ‘I very strongly caution against any form of vigilante action.
‘Often times while people may have good intentions, it can result in unintended consequences.’
Hundreds of mourners gathered at the crash site on Saturday to farewell the young motorcyclist
Source link