‘He loved his bike’ - Fundraising page started for mum of tragic Muirhouse toddler Julius Czapla as family friend tells of ‘heartbreak’

A fundraising page has been set up to support the mother of a toddler who died in Muirhouse at the weekend.

Little Julius Czapla was pronounced dead at the scene a short time after emergency services were called to a block of flats in Muirhouse Place West at around 9:30am on Saturday.

On Monday, Lucasz Czapla, 40, appeared in private from custody at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with assault following the two-year-old’s death.

He was also charged with driving over the alcohol limit, dangerous driving and failing to stop a vehicle. He made no plea to any of the charges and was remanded in custody.

Little Julius Czapla. Pic: Supplied

Detectives are carrying out an investigation into the toddler’s death and have confirmed it is being treated as ‘suspicious’ following a post mortem examination.

‘He had so much life’

A fundraising page has now been started in aid of the boy’s mother, Patrycja, who is originally from Poland but has been living in Edinburgh for some time.

Patrycja Njoroge, a close friend who helped set up the Gofundme page, said: “Knowing the mum and the boy, our hearts just break. If you have your own child, you look at that child and can not even imagine something tragic like this could happen, and this has had an extreme impact. I think anyone who reads the news will feel devastated by this.

“Locals and friends and young people who knew the family have come together and tried to help out and tried to be supportive and be there for one another.”

Speaking of Julius, she said: “He had so much life in him. He didn’t need any sugar to be all over the place. He was always going around on his balance bike, he loved going around on that bike. And he loved ice cream, any kind of ice cream.”

Miss Njoroge stressed that any money raised by the fundraiser would help support the boy’s mother on a daily basis and in the longer term as she deals with the grieving process.

She also said it is yet to be decided whether the boy’s funeral will take place in Scotland or in Poland and that any funds raised would help towards flights and accommodation costs for her family, most of whom live in Poland.

Miss Njoroge added: “We have set up the fundraiser to take some of the worries off the mum’s shoulders because we do not know when she will be able to get back on her feet.”

Miss Njoroge said she is aware of another fundraising page which has been set up by a friend and one other which has been set up by people in Poland. Any funds raised will go towards supporting Julius’s mother.

She said Covid restrictions have made the situation more difficult in terms of family from Poland having to quarantine and also friends being able to visit her for support. However, one close friend is understood to be supporting the boy’s mother at this time.

On Sunday, a small gathering was held in Muirhouse with a minute’s silence to remember Julius.

Following the tragedy, locals gathered outside the building where Julius died and placed flowers, notes, candles, soft toys and photographs in tribute to the youngster.

Anyone who wishes to donate and support Julius’s mother can do so HERE.

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