A campaign to raise money for the children of a Polish mother-of-two who was fatally injured is gathering pace in Perth.
Aleksandra Korkus (28) died at a Firbank Road flat on June 16. Police and paramedics discovered she had been seriously injured and she was taken to Ninewells Hospital, where she later died.
A 38-year-old man has since appeared at Perth Sheriff Court in connection with her death.
The funeral of Aleksandra, known as Ola, took place at Perth Crematorium on June 28 and her ashes were taken to Poland so her family could pay their respects.
Neighbours were shocked at the death of Aleksandra, originally from Mikolow, near Katowice, and floral tributes were left outside the flat where her body was found.
The Polish community in Perth has rallied to help her children, five-year-old Nadia and two-year-old Alan Hetmanski.
The Perth Polish Support Group has raised more than £200 by organising a bank account for donations and have also set up a Facebook page.
The Polish consulate in Edinburgh has contacted Aleksandra’s family and liaised with the police and Perth and Kinross Council’s social work department.
Renata Fraser, the co-ordinator of the action group and support group chairwoman, said she was very happy with the “positive response” from the public and everyone else who was “touched by this tragedy.”
She said, “So far we have raised approximately £200 but hope for a little bit more. The money will be used to ease the children’s suffering and to assist Aleksandra’s sister, Kamila Korkus who up until now was a full-time student with all the unexpected expenses related to the long-term care for her sister’s children.”
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She added, “Their whole world has fallen apart. The siblings’ life will never be the same again.”
Ms Fraser said, “A Their Future Facebook page has been created to co-ordinate the action and inform followers of the progress. It also contains information about ways of donating money to the children’s family.
“A PayPal account has been set up, along with a special HSBC bank account. We are grateful for all donations sent to the PayPal account at theirfuture@yahoo.co.uk and through the bank transfer to Their Future, account number 60066486 and sort code 40-20-64.”
She added, “A number of yellow money boxes are also present in various places in Perth including Polish shops and employers employing large numbers of international staff.”
Nadia and Alan are with family in Poland for the summer.
Ms Fraser said, “Their mum’s funeral service had taken place in Perth Crematory on June 28, with only the closest relatives and friends present at the ceremony. Her ashes were transported to Poland for burial to allow the family to pay their last respects to Ola.”
Perth and Kinross Provost Dr John Hulbert described the death of Ms Korkus as a “great tragedy” for the children and backed the campaign.
He said, “There is a very strong Polish community in this area and I support what they are doing.”