In a heart-wrenching plea that has captured the nation’s attention, the devoted grandmother of two young Nova Scotia children who have been missing for nearly a year has launched a desperate fundraising campaign to cover mounting legal costs as she fights in court for guardianship of her beloved grandchildren.

Belynda Gray, the paternal grandmother of six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and her little brother Jack Sullivan (who would now be around seven), has taken the extraordinary step of setting up a GoFundMe page titled “Legal Justice, in the search for Lilly and Jack Sullivan” – a raw, emotional appeal to strangers across Canada and beyond to help her secure temporary guardianship so she can access critical information, represent their best interests, and keep their voices alive amid an agonizing, unresolved disappearance.

The children vanished without a trace from their rural home in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, on May 2, 2025 – a date forever etched in the hearts of their family and the tight-knit community that has refused to give up hope. Nearly ten months later, with winter snow still blanketing the search areas and no major breakthroughs reported, Belynda’s latest move has thrust the heartbreaking case back into the spotlight.

In her GoFundMe description, posted on February 24, 2026, Belynda writes with raw honesty: ‘My grandchildren are Lilly and Jack Sullivan. They have been missing since the 2nd of May, 2025. As hard as this is, I am asking for help to pay fees associated with my court cost of trying to gain temporary guardianship of my grandchildren. To obtain information leading up to their disappearance and to have a say in regards to how to best represent Lilly and Jack during this difficult time, to be their voice.’

The campaign comes at a time when frustration is boiling over for many who have followed the saga. The RCMP’s investigation has been long and exhaustive – involving ground searches, aerial sweeps, cadaver dogs, underwater teams, and tips from the public – yet the siblings remain missing, leaving loved ones in a limbo of grief and uncertainty.

Belynda, a resident of Upper Musquodoboit, NS, explained in interviews with CTV News Atlantic why she’s pursuing guardianship now. ‘I’m anxious for spring and hope to resume searches with dogs once the snow melts,’ she told reporters. ‘In the meantime, I need to be in a position where I can push for answers and ensure Lilly and Jack’s best interests are protected.’

Legal experts say guardianship in such cases is no small undertaking. It would potentially grant her greater access to police files, child welfare records, and other details that family members without formal status might be denied. It could also allow her a formal role in any future decisions about the children’s welfare – should they ever be found – or in memorial efforts if the worst fears are confirmed.

The emotional toll on Belynda is palpable. In earlier media appearances, including heartfelt interviews with CBC and local outlets, she has spoken candidly about her son Cody Sullivan (the children’s father) and the family’s desperate wait. She has described the children as bright, loving, and full of life – Lilly with her infectious laugh and curiosity, Jack with his playful energy and big hugs.

‘These are not just statistics,’ one family friend told us. ‘They were real kids with real futures stolen from them. Belynda is doing everything a grandmother can to fight for justice and closure.’

The disappearance itself remains shrouded in mystery. On that spring morning in 2025, the children were reported missing from their home in a remote area of Pictou County. Initial searches focused on nearby woods, fields, bodies of water, and abandoned properties. The RCMP classified the case as high-priority, appealing repeatedly for public tips while stressing that foul play had not been ruled out – nor had the possibility of an accident or other explanations.

Over the months, volunteers joined official efforts, family members organized their own searches, and social media campaigns kept the children’s faces in the public eye with hashtags like #FindLillyAndJack. Step-grandmother Janie McKenzie spoke publicly about hearing the children’s voices that morning before an eerie silence fell – details that only deepened the anguish.

Belynda has not shied away from criticism of how authorities have handled aspects of the case. In some online posts shared in community groups, she and supporters have called for a public inquiry into the Nova Scotia government’s and RCMP’s response, alleging delays, oversights, or lack of transparency.

Yet amid the frustration, there is resilience. The GoFundMe – which aims to cover court fees, legal representation, and related expenses – has begun attracting donations from compassionate strangers moved by the grandmother’s determination. Messages left by donors range from tearful prayers (‘May you find peace and your precious babies soon’) to practical support (‘Sending strength from Alberta – every dollar helps’).

The broader context of missing children cases in Canada adds layers of sorrow. Organizations like Missing Kids Canada highlight how thousands of youth go missing annually, with most resolved quickly – but high-profile long-term cases like this one leave communities haunted.

For Belynda Gray, the fight is personal and unrelenting. ‘I won’t stop being their voice,’ she has said. As spring approaches and the snow begins to recede, she hopes renewed searches will bring answers – but in the interim, this legal battle represents another front in her tireless campaign for justice.

The children’s mother and other family members have also spoken out at various points, sharing memories and pleas for information. The blended family dynamics have added complexity, with both maternal and paternal sides grieving in their own ways while united in desperation for closure.

Psychologists note that prolonged uncertainty in missing persons cases can lead to ‘ambiguous loss’ – a grief without finality that is uniquely painful. Belynda’s push for guardianship may offer her some measure of agency in an otherwise powerless situation.

As donations trickle in and court dates loom, the story of Lilly and Jack Sullivan continues to tug at heartstrings nationwide. Photos of the smiling siblings – Lilly with her gap-toothed grin, Jack clutching a favourite toy – remain pinned to community boards, shared on social media, and carried in wallets by those who refuse to forget.

Whether this fundraising effort brings the legal leverage Belynda seeks, or simply eases the financial burden of her fight, one thing is clear: a grandmother’s love knows no bounds, and no distance – not even the vast, silent woods of Nova Scotia – can extinguish it.

For anyone wishing to support, the GoFundMe remains active, protected, and transparent. Every contribution, no matter how small, is seen as a candle in the darkness for two little ones who deserve to be found – or at the very least, remembered and fought for.

This is a developing story. As court proceedings unfold, spring searches resume, or any new leads emerge in the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan, the nation watches with bated breath – and a grandmother continues her unyielding battle.