Chrissy is sending them.

People around the world on social media are honouring the memory of Christine Archibald — the 30-year-old from British Columbia who was killed in Saturday’s attack on London Bridge — with those words.

And Canadians are reaching out to shelters, community groups and food banks offering donations and volunteer hours, spurred on by the words Archibald’s family used in an inspiring tribute.

“Volunteer your time and labour or donate to a homeless shelter,” read the family’s statement, released Sunday through the federal government. “Tell them Chrissy sent you.”

They did: The hashtag #chrissysentme trended on Twitter Sunday night and Monday, as people pledged to help the homeless in Archibald’s name.





Covenant House, a Toronto agency that helps homeless and trafficked youth, on Monday said it has received “a couple of dozen” donations.

“We are very grateful and humbled that people are taking this opportunity to support the homeless youth who are with us,” said communications manager Rose Cino.

“I think it is a way to turn a very tragic situation — and obviously I think everyone’s heart goes out to Christine’s family — into a way for people to do something positive.”

Archibald, who moved to Europe in February to be with her fiancé, Tyler Ferguson, had recently left her job of over two years as a social worker at Alpha House, a Calgary not-for-profit that helps people facing addiction.

Archibald and Ferguson were enjoying a warm spring night when she was struck by a speeding van that plowed into people strolling on the bridge.

Ferguson’s sister, Cassie Ferguson Rowe, said in a Facebook message that Archibald died in her fiancé’s arms.

“I can’t breath (sic). You hear these things so often but it doesn’t seem real. Last night in London my baby brother lost the love of his life on the London bridge. In a split second his entire life was ripped away from him. Hearing his painful sobs on the phone while he’s alone trying to deal with this tears me apart. I have no words.”

Former colleagues at Alpha House remembered Archibald as a talented social worker and exceptional human being, said executive director Kathy Christiansen.

“Chrissy was a bright light to many, and her generosity, kind spirit and huge heart for her work in responding to issues of addictions and homelessness at the centre inspired us all.”

Christiansen said Archibald was not only talented at her work, but also grateful to be doing it.

“She felt blessed to be a part of that,” Christiansen said, adding that the outpouring of support on social media is “a wonderful tribute to Chrissy. It’s been meaningful for us and I’m sure her family, and it would be meaningful to Chrissy that people are continuing to look at ways to reach out to the community that she worked with here at the centre.”

The hashtag #Chrissysentme has “become kind of a movement,” said Christiansen, who added Alpha House has noticed an increase in donations.

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“In darkness we have a choice, to make the world a better place or let hate win,” said one tweet. “Chrissy Archibald’s family chose the former.”

Others pledged to make donations to shelters, soup kitchens and other community groups.

“We have made a donation to our community food bank in honour of Christine Archibald,” said a tweet. “I don’t know what else to say except: #Chrissysentme.”

Archibald was among seven who died in the van and knife attack on the bridge and nearby restaurants on Saturday. At least 48 people were injured.

British counterterrorism investigators searched two homes Monday and detained "a number" of people in the investigation into a van and knife attack in the heart of London that left seven people dead and dozens hurt.

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Two GoFundMe campaigns have been set up in Archibald’s memory: one by a close friend of her fiancé raising funds for the United Way, and another by London’s We Care food bank.

Archibald had a great deal of empathy for people in tough situations, said Peter Choate, an assistant professor of social work at Calgary’s Mount Royal University, where she studied.

“She exemplified what matters to us in social work, and that’s the capacity to see the challenging circumstances that someone finds themselves in and be prepared to work with them to cope as best they can with life’s circumstances,” he said.

Many homeless shelters won’t let people in if they’re drunk or high. Alpha House takes in everybody, Choate said.

Alpha House offers food, shelter and social services to people even if they’re not ready to get off drugs, a strategy known as harm reduction. Just keeping people off the street can help address other medical or physical needs, Choate said, recalling Archibald as a quiet woman who grew in confidence as she completed her degree in social work.

Premier Rachel Notley said the London attack hit Alberta especially hard because Archibald was known and loved by so many in the province.

“She could have been any one of us and her tragic death has left our province shaken,” she said in a release Monday.

With files from Star wire services

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