More than £79,000 has been raised for needy children following an outpouring of support for the family of murdered Chasidic boy Leiby Kletzky.
The Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund was launched as a way for the family to preserve the memory of the eight-year-old, who was kidnapped and killed earlier this month.
The money will be used to help orphans, provide food and clothing for needy families and support families facing illnesses or other difficulties.
In an appeal, they said that while Leiby would never be able to laugh again, and would never celebrate his barmitzvah or marry and have a family of his own, people could still help him achieve "all the acts of charity and kindness he would have done had he been granted more years to live".
"Your generous contribution to the Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund will accomplish all the wonderful things that Leiby would have achieved - had he lived," they said in an online appeal.
"It will mean that all the hope and promise that was lost through Leiby's death will be revived through all the kindness and generosity that will be done in his memory."
The Kletzky family set a target of £613,000 for the fund, which has already attracted donations and messages of support from more than 3,000 people.
Leiby's alleged killer, Levi Aron, was indicted for kidnapping and murder this week. Gerard Marrone, a member of Aron's legal team, walked out yesterday, telling ABD news that as a father-of-three the case was too horrific for him to work on.
