Funds are being raised for the daughter of a Vernon woman who was found dead in a Heritage Drive home last week.
Cara Trotchie launched a GoFundMe campaign for her friend, Kaylee Bannister, who died on May 28.
"On May 28th Kaylee’s mom received a phone call that no mother ever wants to receive. A phone call that would change her life, her family's life and Kaylee’s friends lives forever. A phone call that would change Kaylee’s two beautiful young daughters' lives forever. Kaylee received her angel wings that day, unfortunately. Kaylee was only 32 years old with so much life to live and love to give still," Trotchie wrote.
"Kaylee was a girl’s girl with a heart of gold. She would light up any room she would walk into. She was intelligent, kind, caring, loyal, brave, fearless, downright hilarious and one heck of a barber."
Trotchie wrote that Bannister's children are the reason she launched the GoFundMe, which as of Friday afternoon has raised more than $2,200 towards its goal of $20,000.
According to Trotchie, money raised will be put into a trust for Bannisters kids, who can use it for future medical, dental or post-secondary expenses.
"I want Kaylee’s girls to grow up knowing that hundreds of people, whether it’s family, friends or complete strangers that they will never know, rallied behind them when their whole world turned upside down and forever changed. I want them to feel every ounce of love that we all have to give them. I want Kaylee’s girls to be able to live their best possible lives even though right now that may seem impossible for them and Kaylee’s family," Trotchie wrote.
"Whether its $5 or $100, every little bit will help these two beautiful girls live their best lives without having their mommy by their side. Kaylee will forever live on in Ali and Alayah."
Days after Bannister's death, tributes and flowers were laid in front of her Heritage Drive home, which was surrounded by police tape. One of them read: "Justice for Kaylee."
The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP have since said that no criminality is suspected in Bannister's death.
