Renew Hope: Help Lin Overcome a Devastating Scam

Hi, my name is Charlene and I am fundraising to right a wrong for our very dear family friend Lin. ❤️

Lin came into Richard's life when he was just 11 years old...she was married to Glen, who became Richard's "Big Brother" when his mother moved the family to Ottawa after the passing of his father. From that point forward, Glen, Lin and their daughter Lori became family in every way that mattered! Glen passed in 2011, but Lin and her family remained steadfast in his life.

I met Lin, Lori and her wonderful family about 10 years ago, and they have become an important part of my life - they are family that Richard gave me, a precious gift that I will always hold dear.

It is for that reason, and of course the obvious...that it is so important for me to create this Go-Fund-Me.

Last week while Lin's daughter and husband were taking some respite, Lin was staying on her own for a few days as she had many times before. There were friends, family and neighbors checking in regularly (in person and by phone)...myself included.

On Wednesday I was preparing to go over and share supper with Lin when I received a call from her, and she didn't sound like herself...so with some prodding I came to discover things were not right. She was asking for a ride to the bank. I headed over immediately and with the help of another dear friend, the police arrived at her residence shortly after me. I had discovered that Lin had received some scam calls from someone claiming to be a constable explaining that her grandson was in trouble and needed a bond of $6000 to be paid in order for him to go home. They scared her and told her she could not discuss this with anyone, or her grandson would be in trouble. They went so far as to order a cab for her that promptly took her to the bank and waited while she withdrew $6000 from her Line of Credit (to which the bank never even questioned why an 80 year old woman who was likey nervous and shaking, never banked on her own and never made withdrawals for anything near that??) The taxi then took her home (to the tune of $72) and then the "constable" sent an "associate" to pick up the cash from her. Money gone! I guess they were so pleased with themselves, they tried again Wednesday. The Ottawa Police were so wonderful and patient, but despite their best efforts they were unable to catch anyone that day. They made sure to take all the information for the report and there is an open case.

No matter the outcome that day...the money is long gone! Hopefully all the information will help catch them and save someone else from this horrible experience!

This precious woman is a cancer survivor and was recently diagnosed again...she has been staying with her daughter and son-in-law to clear away any debt and was only a few months away from being debt free. Did I mention she just turned 80 on Wednesday?!

The stress of all of this has really left her shaken and unsettled...she is afraid to be alone. The combination of this terrible event and her health have been a devastating blow to Lin and her family!

Things like this just destroy one's trust in humanity...I am so appalled that someone would intimidate and take advantage of our most vulnerable family members!

Take a minute or two to have this conversation with those members of your family...you never think it will happen to anyone in your family...until it does.

Please help me help this wonderful lady who played such a special role in Richard's life, and also means so much to me! Maybe we can restore her faith in society and renew hope so she can maintain a positive outlook, stay resilient, and persevere through these tough times!

Let's show her that a couple rotten apples will not ruin the pie! ❤️

Thank you for reading