A Toronto business owner has launched a national initiative to raise funds to help the families who lost loved ones in the tragic Ukraine Airline crash in Iran last week.
Mohamad Fakih, president of Paramount Fine Fine Foods and founder of the Fakih Foundation, announced the Canada Strong campaign on Monday afternoon alongside Mayor John Tory, which aims to raise $1.5 million in support of the Canadians who lost their lives. Donations will go through the Toronto Foundation.
"In the coming days and weeks, the families of the 57 victims from across Canada will face a number of expenses. We are now encouraging Canadians to support the families of the victims by making a donation," reads the campaign website.
"This is a time for all Canadians regardless of race or religion, to come together and show the world what it means to be Canadian."
READ: 3 Ontario Realtors Among 63 Canadians Killed In Ukraine Airline Crash In Iran
News of the campaign comes as numerous memorials were held throughout the country over the weekend to honour the 57 Canadians who were killed in the crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 shortly after it took off from Tehran last Wednesday.
The Canadians on board the Ukraine Airline crash were from coast to coast, with passengers hailing from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Through tributes shared on social media from family and friends, passengers from Ontario were identified as students, professors, and professionals.
READ: Toronto Realtor Confirmed As Passenger Killed In Ukraine Airline Crash In Iran
This included four realtors from Ontario, two of which were from the York Region, one from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and one from Toronto.
According to Forest Hill Real Estate Brokerage Inc., Mohsen “Moh” Salahi, an agent with the company, was a passenger on the flight. He was travelling with his wife Mahsa Amirliravi.
The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) also confirmed the identities of its three members who were on board the flight, which included Faezeh “Fran” Falsafi, Iman Ghaderpanah, and Suzan Golbabapour.
In the days following the crash, Iran has admitted its military shot down the aircraft.
The fund has already raised more than $200,000 of its $1.5 million goal. If you'd like to make a donation you can do so here.
