GoFundMe campaign launches to help Balin Stewart’s family with funeral costs

A GoFundMe campaign has started to help fund the #BinthebladeforBalin campaign as the Sunshine Coast community continues to grieve the death of the Buddina teen.

The Sunshine Coast community is digging deep to help the family of a beloved Buddina boy who was allegedly stabbed to death as they push to end knife violence among teenagers.

Balin Stewart, 16, died outside his Iluka Ave home on Thursday, January 20, after he was allegedly stabbed in the torso by another boy, 17.

The popular Sunshine Coast Grammar School Year 11 student has been remembered by friends and family as an “incredibly caring sort of guy”.

Family friend Glenn Corbett set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral costs and unforeseen expenses.

Mr Corbett said the fundraiser, which was just shy of its $10,000 goal at the time of publication, said the response from the community since Balin’s death has been “nothing short of amazing”.

“Family and friends were inundated with requests of where to donate for anything that may help in such a difficult time,” he said.

“The GoFundMe campaign was set up to help (Balin’s parents) Mick and Kez cover any immediate costs such as Balin’s “Celebration of Life” but it looks like it will be able to be so much more than that.”

Mr Corbett said any funds raised would also help the Stewart family work towards “Balin’s legacy”, after they created the #BinthebladeforBalin campaign on social media and launched binthebladeforbalin.com.au in the wake of the teen’s death.

The campaign was launched in an effort to urge youths to ditch knives to prevent further needless bloodshed.

Balin Stewart, 16, tragically died after an alleged stabbing in Buddina on January 20. Balin is pictured here with his parents Michael and Kerri-Lyn.

“Within days of Balin’s death (his family) said they wanted to start a community awareness campaign that will become Balin’s legacy,” Mr Corbett said.

“They have been so amazing to look for what positives could come of this, setting up the Bin The Blade For Balin movement.

“After speaking with them today they are so excited that those plans may be able to happen earlier due to the support shown so far.

“You can only imagine what it would mean to have such progress come from such a tragedy.”