The community is rallying to help pay for the funeral services of a young child whose grieving family are newcomers to Canada.

More than $22,000 has been raised by area residents to help bury three-year-old Ryan Bhattrai, who was killed on August 11 after being hit by a vehicle while crossing a busy street with his family.

A GoFundMe account was created to help cover the burial of Ryan, who was crossing the street just after 11 a.m. with his sister and dad on The East Mall, just north of Burnhamthorpe Rd.

Both the father, 37, and his seven-year-old sister, were hospitalized but are expected to recover.

A woman in her 80s, who was driving the car that hit the family, was also hospitalized.

A family friend said in the GoFundMe post that the family had only been in Canada for four years. It is believed they moved here from India.

“We are seeking assistance on behalf of this unfortunate family who just started life four years ago in Canada with no high expectation but a happy family life and was not prepared for this tragedy,” wrote organizer Sarad Ghimire.

“The most unfortunate father who lost his son was holding his hand at the time and is still in a traumatic condition,” she said. “His mother is not able to convince herself that she no longer has her baby and did not get a chance to say goodbye to her lovely son and is in the same traumatic condition as a father.”

She said Ryan always had “a smiling face and had just learnt how to speak and walk. His little feet have not travelled any long distance and has now come to a full stop.”

“It was so heartbreaking … I was shocked knowing the baby and the family is from our fraternity,” wrote donors Punya Sagar and Monika Marahatta. “May your budding soul rest in heaven, have a good rest with all angels around buddy. Good bye Ryan!”

“Rest in peace lovely shining star; our whole family’s thought and prays goes to the bereaved family,” grieved Jaya Ram Simkhada. “Stay strong, we all are with you.”

No charges have been laid in the incident.

Toronto police are asking anyone with video footage of this collision or anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-1900 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or www.222tips.com.

Donations can be made by searching for Ryan’s name at https://www.gofundme.com/