An Australian actress is racing against time to raise funds to cryogenically preserve her 13-year-old son’s body after he tragically took his own life last month. Clare McCann, known for her roles in the series “Blog Party” and as the founder of the Sydney Women’s International Film Festival, is urgently appealing for $300,000 to freeze her son Atreyu’s body, hoping future scientific advancements might bring him back.
Atreyu, described by McCann as “the brightest light” in her world, died at their Sydney home after enduring relentless bullying at school. McCann shared her heartbreak in a poignant social media post, stating, “In a moment of unbearable pain, Atreyu took his own life. This was not his fault. He was let down by the schooling system as he suffered horrendous amounts of bullying.”
The Urgent Cry for Help
With less than 48 hours remaining to initiate the cryogenic process, McCann has turned to the public for support. “We only have one chance left to cryogenically preserve his body within the next seven days,” she wrote on her GoFundMe page. “If we miss this window, we lose the chance for any future revival that science may offer. This is about hope and justice.”
Cryogenic freezing involves preserving human remains at ultra-low temperatures, with the hope that they might one day be revived. Australia’s first cryonics facility, Southern Cryonics, gained attention last year with the successful preservation of its first client.
Bullying Allegations and Institutional Failures
McCann has alleged that Atreyu’s ordeal began just days into his first week at a New South Wales high school. According to a timeline she shared, Atreyu was subjected to a “violent incident” during a Year 7 camp, where he was allegedly held underwater. Despite the severity of the incident, McCann claims it was never formally reported to her.
She further alleges that Atreyu faced sexual harassment and ongoing verbal abuse, with no psychological support provided by the school. Her requests for a meeting with teachers were reportedly denied, and a senior school official dismissed the camp incident as “typical peer reaction.”
“I begged for help,” McCann wrote. “I submitted complaints. I shared medical records. No one listened. He was just 13. He deserved a future.”
The bullying reportedly escalated, with Atreyu enduring racial slurs and verbal taunts related to his appearance. In March, McCann says the school was informed that other students crafted a weapon to coerce her son into self-harm, yet no action was taken.
Community Response and Future Plans
McCann has vowed to use any donations exceeding the $300,000 goal to launch a national anti-bullying campaign and pursue legal action against the institutions she believes failed her son. “I am a public figure with a national platform, and I will use every resource I have to make sure this never happens again,” she declared.
Atreyu, who had followed in his mother’s footsteps into acting, appeared in several films and stage productions. He was diagnosed with PTSD shortly before his death, a diagnosis McCann attributes to the relentless bullying he faced.
“It’s with shattered hearts that we share the passing of my beautiful son, Atreyu McCann,” she expressed. “He was the brightest light in my world – kind, creative, and endlessly loved.”
Broader Implications and Support
The tragedy has sparked a broader conversation about bullying and mental health support in schools. The New South Wales Department of Education stated it takes all allegations of bullying seriously and has policies in place to address such issues. However, McCann insists her repeated pleas for intervention were ignored.
As the family grieves, McCann has requested privacy. “Right now, we are grieving a loss that words can’t hold. Please give us time and space as we process this unimaginable pain,” she wrote.
For those in need of support, resources such as Samaritans and Lifeline are available. The call for action and awareness around bullying continues, as McCann seeks justice and hope for her son and others affected by similar circumstances.
