photo by: Contributed

A picture of Chansi Rose Long and her daughters posted along with a GoFundMe fundraiser in support of the girls' education fund. Long was killed by a train on Nov. 23, 2023.

A fund began collecting money on Sunday in support of two girls whose mother was killed by an Amtrak train while she was researching homelessness in Lawrence.

The fundraiser is in response to the death of Chansi Rose Long, 40, who was struck and killed by a train on Thursday morning after spending the night in a tent near Burcham Park to write a “lived experience” story on homelessness to publish online, as the Journal-World reported.

The GoFundMe page was set up by Lauren Parr and is collecting funds to support Long’s grade school-aged daughters.

“This fundraiser is for the education and future of the two daughters of Chansi Long, Millie and Ophelia Beckley. A tragic accident has ripped apart a dedicated mother and her children far too soon. We, as their loving community, can come together to help support the girls’ future towards the path Chansi would want,” the page said.

A gathering to remember Long has also been organized by Trina Tinsley with the Jax Project. Tinsley is a fellow advocate of Long’s in the homeless community. It has been scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 30 at the Union Pacific Depot, 402 N. Second St.