6 children who lost mother in Port Moody fire still struggling

Six children and teens who lost their mother and Port Moody home in a fire allegedly started by their father are still struggling two months later, according to a downstairs neighbour who was also displaced by the fire.

Nikki Trampus, 23, is now part of an effort to help the six children, whose ages range from five to 18.

Five of the six children were forced to flee out an upstairs window as their house became engulfed in flames on July 10. Their father now faces charges of second-degree murder, arson and arson causing bodily harm.

"Honestly, I think that they're trying their best to move past everything," said Trampus who rented a downstairs suite from the family with her sister Vanessa. "I don't see them upset all the time. You know, I see them happy; they play with my dog, and they seem like they're moving forward."

• Father charged with 2nd-degree murder after 'tragic' house fire in Port Moody, B.C.
• 'It was loud and just really scary': Neighbour describes harrowing escape
• GoFundMe campaign launched for Port Moody kids left homeless in fatal fire

But Trampus said the children, who can't be identified due to a publication ban, are struggling to make ends meet and having a difficult time getting financial assistance. She's now asking for donations to pass on to the family.

"Right now we're just asking for cash and gift cards, because it's easy," she said.

"They can go out and get what they need on their own, rather than getting a bunch of donations, because I have had people drop of, like, dirty dishes and scratched dishes. I'd rather just have the cash or the gift cards, so they can buy the stuff for themselves."

'They need it to survive'

Trampus said the family is getting quite desperate. They were able to find a place to live with their grandparents, who reportedly travelled to Canada after the tragedy, but nobody is earning an income, and their situation has become dire.

"Well I had to go buy them lunch — like enough for a week of lunches — and, you know, a little bit of toiletries myself last week," said Trampus, who works as a hair dresser. 

"I bought them shampoo, and they were using some of the shampoo as soap, so they really need stuff. It's not like they're just asking for money and asking for stuff," she said. "They need it to survive."

GoFundMe campaign

The family set up a GoFundMe page shortly after the tragedy to collect donations to have the home rebuilt. That has raised more than $42,000, but according to Trampus, the children can't access that money.

"The government has control of the GoFundMe account now, because it's part of their assets, so the government has that. They will be putting that — once they close the account — into a trust fund for the kids for their future," she said.

Trampus said there has been some confusion about where the GoFundMe proceeds will go, if the home is in the father's name, but the campaign description will be changed so that the money goes directly into a trust fund for the children.

But whatever ultimately happens to the GoFundMe money, Trampus said the children have no access to it now and, that's why she's asking for direct donations.

"The kids need money now. They'll need it, obviously, in the future as well, but they also need it right now to survive," she said.

Trampus is asking anyone interested in donating to contact her at the hair salon where she works, Sport Clips, by asking for Nikki. She said if anyone has larger items they want to contribute, they should contact Shelley at Port Moody Auto and Air.

Follow Rafferty Baker on Twitter: @raffertybaker