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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - A Fort Simpson mother said she is overwhelmed by the support the community has shown for her daughter.

"I was amazed and I started crying when I heard about the community pulling together," said Leanna Cazon.

As of Jan. 20, more than $6,500 has been raised in the village for the Baby Brooklyn Fund. Cazon and Jeremiah Martineau's 10-month-old daughter, Brooklyn Cazon-Martineau, suffered second-degree burns on 21 per cent of her body as the result of a home accident.

The accident happened on Jan. 5 when Cazon was boiling water in an electric kettle for Brooklyn's bottle. The kettle, which was sitting on a counter, starting boiling and then tipped over. The water spilled over the counter and splashed onto Brooklyn who happened to be sitting below it, said Cazon.

The baby was medevaced on a direct flight to Edmonton where she's being treated in the burn unit of the University of Alberta Hospital.

"She's recovering really well," said Cazon.

Brooklyn underwent a skin graft surgery on Jan. 15. The surgeon was impressed with how well she did and there weren't any complications, said Cazon. The burns are on Brooklyn's face, neck, arm, leg and back on the right side of her body.

So far there's no word on when Brooklyn will be released from the hospital. Her spirits are high, said Cazon. Despite being unable to move much Brooklyn still plays peek-a-boo, talks and laughs, she said.

Throughout her hospital stay the family has ensured there's always a familiar face at her bedside. Family members who have been staying in Edmonton include Cazon's mother, Jane Cazon, as well as Martineau's mother, Ginette Martineau, and her partner Troy Ruttle.

"It's been really difficult, seeing your child in the hospital like this," said Cazon.

That's why it means so much to know people in Fort Simpson have been helping any way they can, she said.

The Baby Brooklyn Fund was established through the joint effort of members of the Liidlii Kue First Nation, said Fawna Erasmus, one of the fund's organizers.

The trust fund was designed to help Brooklyn's family with travel, meals and accommodations during their stay in Edmonton.

"We just wanted to take off all the financial stress possible so they can concentrate on baby," Erasmus said.

The fund will stay open for the long term to save money for any reconstructive surgeries Brooklyn might need later in life, Erasmus said.

Money was raised through a bingo as well as donation tins with a number of businesses and organizations around the community. The pre-natal program held a bottle drive on Jan. 10. The amount collected during the drive hasn't been calculated yet.

"It's great to see that everyone has pulled together and helped them in their time of need," said Erasmus.