An Ottawa mother is working to preserve the memory of her 17-year-old son, Liam Wood Cini, by creating lasting tributes in his honour following his death from injuries sustained in a crash in west Ottawa last month.
Liam was driving with two friends on Old Carp Road when the vehicle left the road and struck a tree. He suffered life-threatening injuries and later died after several days in a coma, despite efforts by medical staff to save him. One passenger was seriously injured, while another sustained minor injuries.
His mother, Allison Wood, said the overwhelming support from friends, classmates, teachers and the wider community has revealed just how many lives Liam touched. To help cope with her grief, she has begun organizing therapeutic walks that bring together people who knew her son and provide a space to share memories.
A GoFundMe campaign launched to help cover funeral expenses has since evolved into a plan to build Liam’s legacy. Wood hopes to install a memorial bench where his friends can gather, establish a bursary at his high school so his name is remembered each year at graduation, and, if fundraising goals are met, donate equipment to the school’s shop program in recognition of Liam’s passion for mechanics.
Wood said her goal is to ensure her son’s kindness, compassion and impact on others continue to be remembered for years to come.