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#ChrissySentMe: Canadian victim of London attack inspires new charity and acts of kindness

People around the world have been inspired by call from Christine Archibald's family to volunteer or make charitable donations in her memory.

Christine Archibald's family encouraged public to volunteer or donate to honour her memory

Lien Yeung · CBC News ·
B.C. woman Christine Archibald was one of seven people killed during the attack in London. (Archibald family)

The Canadian victim of the London attack, Christine Archibald, has inspired a new charity and acts of kindness by people around the world.

Archibald, originally from Castlegar, B.C., was one of seven people killed when attackers in a van ran down pedestrians on the London Bridge before stabbing others on Saturday night in a busy area of the city.

Her death has triggered an outpouring of generosity after her family released a statement saying the best way to honour her memory was by "making the community a better place."

"Volunteer your time and labour or donate to a homeless shelter. Tell them Chrissy sent you."

Her fiancé, Tyler Ferguson, reacted publicly for the first time to the outpouring of generosity with a message on an online fundraiser page.

"My beautiful fiancée would want nothing else than to have a little bit of good come out of this tragedy," he wrote. "All of the love and support I have received over the last 48 hours has truly humbled me."

In that spirit, Ferguson and his family said they plan to start a charity foundation in her name.

"We have to keep her name alive so it makes an impact in the world," said Ferguson's brother, Mark. He said the idea was their father's, but it was embraced by the whole family.

#ChrissySentMe takes off

The Archibald family's call to give back has been answered by Canadians across the country — some pointing to their "remarkable" grace and generosity under the circumstances.

Online, donors have marked efforts to contribute with the tag #ChrissySentMe.

'Overwhelmed' by kindness

Before Archibald moved to Europe to be with her fiancé, she did social work in Calgary at Alpha House Society, a homeless shelter for those dealing with addiction.

The group wrote on its Facebook page that her former colleagues were grieving the loss of an "exceptional human being."

So many people chose to donate to the group because of her connection, it was "overwhelmed" by the kindness and generosity.

International impact

It wasn't just Canadians who were moved to give back in Archibald's name. 

From the United States to the United Kingdom, there were also tweets naming donations made in her honour.

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