Schoolgirl’s Chch support move spreads

A 10-year-old schoolgirl’s plan to raise money and show support for the victims of the Christchurch shootings has spread to at least a dozen primary schools around the Bay of Islands.

Kaia Derbyshire wanted to do something to show solidarity and help the victims financially.

She organised a mufti day yesterday at Bay of Islands International Academy at Te Tii, near Kerikeri, and urged her schoolmates to wear white as a symbol of peace. She also invited them to give gold coin donations and make cards with messages of support.

Kaia then enlisted the help of her principal, Chris Bell, to invite other schools to join in.

The idea is that each school will take a photo of its students dressed in white, with all the donations, photos and messages delivered to Christchurch’s Muslim community.

Kaia said she felt personally affected because both her parents were police officers, so if an attack happened in Northland they would be among the first responders. She also felt affected because she and her dad were Fijian, like some of the victims of the attack.

“I wanted to help the people in Christchurch and raise money for them, to help them pay their bills. If it happened here my mum and dad would have to help.”

Schoolmate Aimee Croucher, 9, said helping was a good thing to do.

“This will let them know people care about them.”

PICTURE / PETER DE GRAAF Ten-year-old Kaia Derbyshire, centre, organised a mufti day fundraiser for the Christchurch attack victims which has been spread to more than dozen primary schools around the Mid North. Lending their support are Bay of Islands International Academy students, from left, Aimee Croucher, 9, Hannah-May Croucher, 10, Eva Whyman, 10, Keira Featherstone, 10, and Nate Brewer, 10.