A Werribee man has paid tribute to a high school friend by fundraising for her young family following her sudden death.
Werribee’s Alysha Beek died earlier this month after contracting bacterial meningitis. The 28-year-old leaves behind her eight-month-old son Anakin and her husband, Daniel, whom she married a year ago.
Her death comes one year and one day after her father died.
Upon hearing the news, Evan Gower, who went to Werribee Secondary College with Alysha, set up an online fundraiser to help out the family, and has raised more than $7,500 in the past fortnight.
He has also arranged for a new fridge for the family.
Mr Gower said while he and Alysha hadn’t been close after high school, her death hit close to home.
“I felt like I had to do something, something more than pass on my condolences, to help the family out,” he said.
“I just wanted to raise the money to either alleviate the funeral costs, or whatever Daniel wanted to do with the money – whether it’s to get things for Anakin as he gets older, because they grow up so fast, or day care fees for when Daniel has to go back to work.
“A lot of people in Werribee knew Alysha, she grew up in Werribee and spent her whole life here.”
Mr Gower thanked all the local businesses and residents who have helped to raise money for the Beek family.
To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/4z1j0i8
