The international student who was viciously attacked in downtown Winnipeg last week is getting some financial assistance.
The attack happened in a bus shelter at Portage Place Jan. 23. The 17-year-old student, who recently moved to the city from India, was punched and kicked inside the shelter in a random assault.
READ MORE: Surveillance images show daytime attack at Portage Place bus shelter
On Thursday, he agreed to allow a residential development company to fundraise on his behalf, with some proceeds going to the Indian Students Association at the University of Manitoba.
Tim Comack, who is the vice president of Ventura Developments, set up a GoFundMe page.
“He’s here alone, he’s got very few friends, he’s got no family here,” Comack said. “He’s been here a very short amount of time, so we’re going to raise some money to help him out. He’s not from an affluent international family so he needs every bit of help he can get.”
Dhruv Patel, who is the SA’s President, echoed the sentiment.
“The more money fellow Winnipeggers can help with, the better it is for him,” Patel said. “[The money] will help pay off his tuition and help him with other necessities.”
The student had been downtown at the Service Canada Office to try to set up his Social Insurance Number so he could work to help pay for school when the random and unprovoked assault happened.
The suspect was arrested a day later.
READ MORE: Suspect arrested in Portage Place bus shelter attack after pursuit in stolen vehicle
The pair said the student is still recovering from serious injuries suffered in the assault and won’t be able to work or attend class for some time.
“He’s pretty badly beaten up and I imagine he’s a little bit scared too. So we want to make him feel a little bit more welcome in Winnipeg, help him out with some money and make his life a little bit easier for the next little while, while he heals up,” Comack said.
“My advice to him was just to take it easy. If we have to push exams back, we’ll talk to your professors and push your exams back. Mental health and physical health is more important than anything at this point,” Patel said.
Donations to help cover costs can be made on this GoFundMe page.
“I think Winnipeg needs to show this guy that we care. I think we all have to remember, this [was] an isolated incident.”
A portion of funds raised will be used to help other students in the future through the association.
-with files from Jeff Braun