Pheobe Bishop: Unsupported GoFundMe page in memory of Bundaberg teen sparks outrage
Shortly after Pheobe Bishop was remembered as a bright and bold spark at a memorial vigil in the Queensland town of Gin Gin, her mother revealed that a fundraising page had been created that was not approved by the family.
The GoFundMe page was established on Sunday and had a target to raise $10,000.
The 17-year-old was missing for three weeks, and her housemates James Wood, 34 and Tanika Bromley, 33, have been charged with her murder.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“THIS HASN’T BEEN APPROVED OR SUPPORTED BY THE FAMILY,” the 17-year-old’s furious mother, Kylie Johnson, wrote on Facebook when she shared the unofficial fundraising page.
The post was quickly flooded with comments encouraging Ms Johnson to report the page.
The organiser of the unwanted fundraiser commented on the post, saying she didn’t intend for it to be a scam.
“It was a genuine act of trying to help. Whatever money was donated was going to you to do as you see fit,” Catherine Stevenson wrote.
The page has since been taken down.
Another fundraiser, which misspells Pheobe’s name, has been created by a man from Melbourne to assist in “covering costs in facilitating public memorial efforts... and other community-driven support initiatives”, which is still live on GoFundMe.
The organiser acknowledged that the fundraiser is not affiliated or endorsed by Pheobe’s family.
A GoFundMe spokesperson told The Nightly that it is not uncommon for compassionate Australians to launch fundraisers on behalf of others, often as an act of kindness, during times of crisis or distress.
“Funds will never be released until GoFundMe can be sure they will reach the right place. In this case, Pheobe’s immediate family,” the spokesperson confirmed.
“As part of its vetting process, the GoFundMe Trust & Safety team has contacted the organiser of the fundraiser. They will continue to liaise directly to facilitate the safe release of funds to Pheobe’s family.
“Should the family not wish to receive the donations, GoFundMe will proactively refund all donations.”
The official GoFundMe page supported by Pheobe’s family has received almost 150 donations, raising $5,800.
A message shared on the page says that in honour of Pheobe’s memory, the proceeds will be donated to support services such as the SES, who “volunteer their time without reimbursement and have played an integral part of finding missing loved ones in our community.”
Funds will also be donated to the Y School in Bundaberg, where Pheobe attended.
“This is more than a fundraiser — this is a tribute to a beautiful life, and a call to action to protect the most vulnerable in our communities,” a message on the page reads.
The goal is to raise $17,000.
Ms Johnson also shared that a 4x4 convoy will take place next Sunday to honour one of Pheobe’s passions.
“Anyone that knew Phee knew that she loved the outdoors, she got her passion for cars from her poppy and dad and her passion for 4x4ing and camping from me and her brothers,” Ms Johnson wrote on Facebook.
Pheobe’s friends and the wider Gin Gin community have been invited to meet at the Gin Gin Motel and drive to Bundaberg Airport.
People have been encouraged to wear bright colours or clothing with butterflies.
On Saturday, police confirmed human remains were found in the Good Night National Park near Gin Gin and a crime scene was established.
Wide Bay Burnett Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said additional testing and examination had to take place to formally identify the remains as Pheobe’s.
“We always wanted to bring Pheobe home, and we believe that this is the first step in that process,” Det-Insp Mansfield said.
“We do hope that this development, coupled with the arrests...will bring some level of closure to Pheobe’s family so they can begin to move forward with their grieving process.”
On Thursday, Queensland Police charged James Wood, 34, and Tamika Bromley, 33, with one count each of murder and two counts each of interfering with a corpse.
At 2.30pm on Friday, officers discovered what they believe is Pheobe’s body.
