Youth from a Manitoba First Nation plagued by a suicide epidemic is receiving support from a group of Thompsonites.

Operation HNC and Owen's Initiative held a fundraiser at the City Centre Mall this past weekend with the goal of being able to bring youth from Cross Lake to Thompson for the Hope North HOPE Forum next weekend.

There were prize draws to be won, as well as live entertainment to enjoy. The fundraiser managed to bring in $2,200 worth of sporting equipment, arts and crafts supplies, and board games to be sent to Cross Lake, as well as over $1,500 in donations for bringing the youth to the HOPE Forum.

Bobbi Montean was one of the organizers of the fundraiser, who said she was pleased with the turnout.

"It was extremely successful; we had a lot of great participation from the community members. We had some of the youth from Cross Lake that actually came and spent the whole day there, and that gave it a much more personal kind of feeling."

Owen Settee from Owen's Initiative is still taking donations until April 12th. Anyone interested in donating should contact the Owen's Initiative Facebook page.