GoFundMe for Humboldt Broncos closes with over $15M donated

The online fundraiser for the 16 victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash was up for only 12 days, but raised over $15 million.

“First and foremost, the Broncos’ volunteer board of directors would like to express their tremendous love and sincere gratitude to everyone who has generously donated time and money to support our organization and its families, as we navigate through this dark and heart-wrenching time,” the page reads.

Over 140,000 people from over 80 countries donated to the cause before it was closed April 18 at 11:59 p.m. MT. It surpassed the record for any Canadian GoFundMe ever, and is within the top three worldwide.

The funds will go to the Humboldt Broncos Memorial Fund Inc. and an advisory committee will be set up to distribute the money.

“Our goal has been right from day one to support the needs of our families and that is ultimately what we are going to do,” Broncos president Kevin Garinger said earlier this week.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

He said it was too soon to give a more specific breakdown of where the money will go.

WATCH: Latest news videos about the tragedy in Humbodlt

0:55 Humboldt GoFundMe now the largest in Canada

• Humboldt GoFundMe now the largest in Canada
• GoFundMe CEO on Humboldt Broncos bus crash fundraising
• Humboldt Broncos say GoFundMe money to be ‘primarily’ used to support victims’ families
• Canadian country music stars taking part in Humboldt Broncos tribute concert
• Roughly 2K people gather to remember Humboldt Broncos bus crash victim Dayna Brons
• ‘You were a brother’: Humboldt Broncos’ Brayden Camrud remembers Conner Lukan
• Kindergarten teacher was “uncomfortable” to talk about the Humboldt tragedy with students, tells them to take off jerseys
• Humboldt Broncos president speaks after Edmonton celebration of life
• Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid hopes Humboldt Broncos visit ‘put some smiles on faces’
• Supporting those affected by the Humboldt Broncos bus crash tragedy
• Siblings of Humboldt Broncos crash victims stand together
• Managing grief in the wake of Humboldt Broncos bus crash

Previous Video

Next Video

The fund, which had an original goal of $5,000, was set up by Humboldt resident Sylvie Kellington shortly after news broke of the crash between the hockey team’s bus and a semi-truck.

The original goal of the fund was to pay for small expenses the families of victims would need, like coffee or parking. But it grew beyond her expectations within 24 hours.

The team is integral to Humboldt, Sask., said Kellington, who wasn’t directly related to the crash.

“They are such an integral part of our community. They go to our daughter’s school and work with the kids there,” Kellington told CKNW.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They are such an integral part of our community. They go to our daughter's school and work with the kids there," Kellington told CKNW.

Though the official GoFundMe is now closed, organizers say people can contact officials at the Humbodlt Strong website if they still want to help.

Along with “Support for Humboldt Broncos” people are crowdsourcing funds for some of the victims specifically.

They include:

• Head coach Darcy Haugan
• In memory of Assistant coach Mark Cross
• Support for the Thomas Family
• Scholarship for goalies in memory of Parker Tobin
• Support for the sister and family Ryan Straschnitzki