Mum of missing teen Pheobe Bishop slams ‘unapproved' charity fundraiser

West Australian

5 hours ago

The mother of missing Queensland teenager Phoebe Bishop has slammed a fundraiser raising money in her daughter's name.
Ms Bishop, 17, was declared missing after she failed to check-in for a flight from Bundaberg to visit her boyfriend in Western Australia on May 15.
On Friday, police said they found human remains near the Good Night National Scrub Park outside of Gin Gin, but were yet to confirm if they were Ms Bishop's.
The teen's roommates, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, have been charged with her murder and are alleged by police to have moved her body multiple times.
Amid an outpouring of grief, Ms Bishop's mother, Kylie Johnson, took to social media on Sunday to condemn a GoFundMe campaign set up in her daughter's name.
'This hasn't been approved or supported by the family,' Ms Bishop wrote on Facebook of the campaign, which was titled 'In memory of Phoebe Bishop'.
On Monday, the campaign appeared to have been suspended after raising just $24, stating that: 'This fundraiser is no longer accepting donations'.
According to the GoFundMe page, the campaign was organised by a Winfield woman and featured images of the teenager.
Riddled with typos, the campaign featured a stated goal of raising 'monies' for 'Pheobe's mother, Kylie, to help the family, to donate to where they choose'.
A separate GoFundMe campaign, which has been endorsed by Ms Bishop's family, has raised more than $6000 to a goal of $17,000.
Organised by Tracey Berends, the campaign is aimed at raising money for the SES and agencies working to find Ms Bishop, and those that supported her in her life.
'We would also like to be able to donate to the YSchool in Bundaberg on Pheobe's behalf where Pheobe thrived from their support and guidance,' Ms Berends wrote.
'Pheobe had a gentle soul and a generous spirit — always caring for others and standing up for what was right.
'We want her legacy to live on and by paying it forward to the amazing volunteers and community.
'All funds raised will be donated to these carefully chosen community groups that work to support our Wide Bay community.'
A further GoFundMe campaign purporting to be raising money for 'any individual family member or legal representative' was still online on Monday,
The organiser, Melbourne-based Dilraj Dilraj, said 'being conducted independently' and was not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the family of Phoebe Bishop.
'Funds raised will be allocated towards facilitating public memorial efforts, awareness activities, community response co-ordination, and covering administrative and professional costs necessary to manage this campaign appropriately,' the campaign stated.
As of Monday afternoon, the campaign had raised only $50 from one donation to a goal of $3m.
It comes after a candlelight vigil at Kolan Community Park in Gin Gin was held on Sunday in honour of the missing teen.
A second candlelight vigil is expected at Buss Park in nearby Bundaberg on Monday from 5pm.