The family who escaped abuse with their faces covered to protect their identities (Image Credit: GoFundMe)

By Liam Verster

Helping a Family in Need

Fundraiser launched to support victim of abuse and her 15 children

Mar 17, 2026 | 11:22 AM

A GoFundMe has been launched to support a woman and her children as they rebuild their lives.

The online fundraiser said Ludmilla Ufimzeff came to Canada with no English skills to get married, but just three days after the wedding her abuse started.

The abuse continued and escalated over the years and over the course of 15 pregnancies, leading to her being contained to just her bedroom and being isolated from the outside world, including her Slavic church community.

Ludmilla did eventually learn about Canadian laws regarding her and her children’s safety, and in February of 2023 she was able to secure an emergency protection order and escape the abuse.

However, the family are still trying to rebuild a life and have wracked up a lot of debt in the process, including $40,000 in credit card debt that Ludmilla’s eldest daughter took out to help pay for groceries.

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Helping a Family in Need

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The fundraiser also claimed that the ex-husband had not been paying his child support, and that Ludmilla was dealing with the B.C. Family Maintenance Agency to try to secure mandated child support, though that had not yielded any results.

“Right now they need food,” the GoFundMe stated.

“They are completely out of finances. They need to pay down the credit cards which have fed the family since February 2023. They need help to survive. The funds collected will be used only for this. They need your help to go further. In desperation, they are asking the community to see them, to please extend a hand and donate and help them get through this new hardship.”

People wishing to support the family can make a donation to the Vernon B.C. Mother of 15 in Desperate Situation online fundraiser.