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Victim Support Official Page: Christchurch Shooting Victims' Fund

  • Victim Support Update: The last distribution of donated funds

      28 June 2019
    Posted by: Cam Cotter

    An update to all generous donors,

    Yesterday, Victim Support announced the last distribution of donated funds to victims of the Christchurch Mosque Attacks.

    Once again, we express our sincere thanks for the gift you have given to help those suffering such devastating grief and loss.

    Your gift has not only touched the lives of the victims, but sent a strong message of unity and solidarity to the world. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

    Over four lump sum payments, your donations have now been used to provide amounts across four categories:

    · $90,000 for each bereaved family

    · $51,000 for each victim shot

    · $34,000 to other victims injured

    · $17,000 to other victims present in the mosques at the time of the attacks

    We will be disbursing the final payments to victims from today.

    In addition to the lump sum payments, $1.6 million was spent on victim grants to cover emergency costs like funerals, travel for family members, groceries, childcare, and more.

    Finally, we will hold a small contingency to cover victims yet to be identified by Police. Any contingency not used by the first anniversary of the attacks will be handed over to the Christchurch Foundation for victims' long-term support.

    WOULD YOU LIKE TO KEEP HEARING FROM US?

    My support workers and I would love to keep you updated with our progress for victims in Christchurch and around New Zealand!

    Simply click this link and add your details to receive our updates quarterly: https://mailchi.mp/victimsupport.org.nz/fwe2n2ar21.

    You can also contact us at feedback@victimsupport.org.nz for our latest updates or if you have any questions about our Christchurch response.

    Once again, THANK YOU so very much for your incredible generosity, encouragement, love and support.

    Warm regards,

    Kevin Tso

    Chief Executive

    Victim Support New Zealand

    http://www.victimsupport.org.nz/

    P.S To learn more about our consultation process and distribution of funds to date, click here: http://www.victimsupport.org.nz/

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  • Thank you for your generous donation. Here's an update on our Fund plan

      10 May 2019
    Posted by: Cam Cotter

    Kia ora

    Today, I wanted to take the opportunity to once again thank you for your incredible generosity.

    I also want to send you this next update to dispel any uncertainty or angst around the funds raised through our appeal.

    As you will already be aware, more than $10.5 million was raised by generous New Zealanders just like you, on Givealittle.

    We have been working tirelessly to ensure that we are building a full and correct list of victims and get financial support to them, as well as delivering to our core purpose of providing with victims with practical and emotional information and support.

    This is an extremely complex, unprecedented process and it’s always been clear it would take some time to work through it. That’s why we have been making a combination of emergency and lump sum payments available at each stage of the process so we could make support available quickly.

    Over the next week, additional payments will be made to bereaved families, those physically injured, and those present at the attacks.

    Our first payments were available within days of the attacks, and by next week, we will have released $7 million of support directly to victims – nearly a million dollars a week.

    This has been funded from the $10.5 million pledged to Victim Support through Givealittle, as well as additional pledges from Islamic community organisations and donations received by the charity through other channels.

    A final payment will also be made in June once all donations have been received and a final appeal total is known.

    A contingency amount of $1 million will be held back from the final payment to ensure that we can meet commitments to victims’ emergency expenses and provide financial assistance to any new victims who may still come forward.

    As I committed from the outset of this appeal, no portion of the money you donated will be used to cover administration expenses. 100 per cent of funds received will go to victims.

    We are engaging with Islamic community leaders and victims to talk through the final distribution of funds.

    I have been overwhelmed by the generous response from people like you since these horrific attacks. The amounts you have given have far exceeded all expectations and has meant that a larger and more complex distribution process has been required of us.

    As we are a registered charity, the board and I have also committed to have the fund administration independently audited.

    We see every single day just how much of an impact the financial support we’ve already given is having in the local community.

    On a final note, I do want to say that this level of support and care now available to those left devastated by the March attacks would not have been possible if not for the incredible generosity of people like you.

    The entire team here at Victim Support wishes to again thank everyone who has donated to the fund. We are now working together with The Spark Foundation to close the Givealittle page on 30 May.

    You have our commitment that we will continue to work to support these victims through their long journey ahead.

    Yours sincerely,

    Kevin Tso

    Chief Executive

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  • Thank you for your generosity!

      11 April 2019
    Posted by: Cam Cotter
    Main image

    Kia ora

    Many thanks for your generous donation through GiveaLittle to support those affected by the tragic Christchurch Mosque attacks.

    This is a quick update to let you know that your donation is already being put to good use.

    So far, Victim Support have provided support to more than 800 people directly impacted by the attacks. Almost $1.7 million in financial support has been provided to victims, including $1.42 million from our fundraising appeal.

    Some of the things you’ve helped us provide to victims include:

    • Lump sum cash payments to those bereaved and injured

    • Flights and accommodation to bring family members to New Zealand

    • Funding for funeral expenses

    • Grants to help with daily living expenses and lost income

    These payments are for initial needs only while we work with victims and the affected community around further criteria.

    There will be many more needs for these funds in the weeks and months ahead, so it’s important that we ensure funds remain available for those needs to come. We also need to take the time to make careful, well-informed decisions, guided by victims and the Muslim community, about the long-term use of funds. In the meantime, we’ll continue to make financial support available for victims for their immediate needs.

    The impact of this tragedy and the cost of recovery is going to be many multiples of what has been fundraised, so we’re also working closely with government around how all the needs of victims and the community can be met.

    As promised, your donation will not be used to fund the regular operations of Victim Support. All funds donated will be used to assist those affected by the tragedy and their families.

    Keep an eye out for more updates on our website, www.victimsupport.org.nz.

    Once again, thank you for your generosity!

    Nga Mihi

    Kevin Tso

    Chief Executive – Victim Support

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