It seemed like an odd place to be marking a tragedy - a diner at breakfast time.
But those who came out to meet, greet and eat at the Markham Station Restaurant in Scarborough Friday didn’t come just for the food.
They were there to honour the memory of a brave 11-year-old’s sacrifice and to ensure his name isn’t forgotten.
Up until December 10th, Birunthan Muralidaran Nadarajah was a normal little boy doing the things most kids do. He was on his way to a pick-up soccer game when his friend, 15-year-old Kishoban Alakeswaran, ventured out onto some thin ice and fell through.
His pal went to rescue him but both boys perished in the attempt.
But Birunthan’s bravery has not gone unnoticed. A scholarship has been established in his name to ensure his heroic act is never fogotten. And all funds raised from the breakfast at the eatery between 6am and noon went towards the cause.
The boy’s father is still struggling with the aftermath of losing his son, but finds the outpouring of support comforting.
“As a parent, we are running through the hard time, but when we do these kinds of good things, the memory of Birunthan, when the media says he’s a hero, it gives comfort,” assures Muralitharan Nadarajah.
In the end, a $2,000 cheque was presented by Councillor Raymond Cho and the restaurant to the scholarship fund.
Cho is also pledging to have the park where the youngster played soccer renamed in his honour.
If you’d like to make a donation to the fund, call (416) 392-4078.
Source: www.citynews.ca
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