Kia ora, thank you. We raised a total of $31,718
This means we are assured of a veterinary student scholarship under Hamza's name.
We will now work with the University Foundation and Hamza's mother to establish this scholarship.
Kia ora rawa atu - thank you all very much for your generosity.
We are extending the fundraising for the page for 4 weeks until August. No other changes have been made.
Thank you to everyone who has donated. We have made our goal of $30 000 which ensures we have the veterinary student scholarship. We are currently having a final drive to try and reach $50 000 so that the scholarship can provide more money to the student and we can provide some financial help to the family. Please continue to share this page. Every donation of $5 helps.
Nga mihi, Kate and Eloise
Breaking news - we have hit $30K so we are assured of a scholarship in the name of Hamza Mustafa.
A big thank you to those who have donated. We have had many international donations. As well as some very generous amounts.
• $10,000 from VetNZ (representing Vet Clinic Morrinsville, West Coast Vets and VetSouth).
• ~$8,500 from overseas donors
• ~$8,500 from New Zealand
We are aiming to raise $50,000 to $100,000 to enable a significant annual scholarship award and to have the opportunity to provide some financial support directly to the Mustafa family.
If you’re able to continue to share the link with others, we would greatly appreciate it. (We did have a brush with eventing royalty, when Tim and Jonelle Price shared the link on their Facebook page!)
We thank you all for your generosity.
Nga mihi
Eloise and Kate
Leading New Zealand veterinary company VetNZ has pledged $10,000 toward the establishment of a memorial scholarship for prospective students at Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science.
The scholarship is named in honour of one of the victims of the Christchurch Attacks.
Hamza Mustafa, 16, and his father, Khaled Alhaj Mustafa, were killed at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in the Christchurch Attacks. Hamza was an aspiring veterinarian and talented horse rider, and his father Khaled was a valued farrier in the Christchurch community.
Khaled, his wife and their three children, including Hamza, came to live in New Zealand, having been Syrian refugees in Jordan previously.
Donations are being sought for what will be the Hamza Mustafa Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually to one or more Massey University veterinary science students, to honour Hamza’s ambition to work in the veterinary industry.
VetNZ, which represents Vet Clinic Morrinsville, West Coast Vets and VetSouth, has a long-standing relationship with Massey University and decided from the outset it would both contribute $10,000 and underwrite the target amount of $30,000.
In order for a memorial scholarship to be established, at least $30,000 is required. The Givealittle page set up for the scholarship fund gives others in the veterinary industry and beyond the opportunity to donate to what will be Hamza’s legacy.
Director Mark Bryan said VetNZ would love to see other vet businesses support the cause.
“If the whole industry can come together as one to honour Hamza’s memory, then I think that would be a great achievement and would mean so much to his family.”
Like most rural and veterinarian businesses, VetNZ only worked because the company was made up of so many wonderful people, including those who had come from different countries, Bryan said.
“Inclusivity is a big part of VetNZ’s culture – we’re a stronger team and a stronger industry for it,” he said.
“Hamza dreamed of being a vet, so if we can do something positive on the back of a wholly negative situation, then I can’t think of a better way than helping others to achieve their veterinary dreams through Hamza’s legacy.”
Massey University School of Veterinary Science representatives Kate Hill and Eloise Jillings said the idea for the scholarship came about from a collective conversation among the veterinary community to find ways to offer support to the victims of the Christchurch Attacks.
The scholarship is being developed in conjunction with Hamza’s mother, Salwa, to ensure it is reflective of her son’s memory and is meaningful for the Mustafa family.
“Salwa was very touched when the scholarship was discussed with her, and grateful for the opportunity of an enduring scholarship in Hamza’s name,” Hill said.
Through the Givealittle page more than $19,000 has already been raised, which will increase to $24,000 when VetNZ delivers the second half of its donation.
Co-ordinators for the scholarship will soon be contacting other large clinics and stakeholders in the veterinary industry across New Zealand to seek donations.
It is hoped the money donated will exceed the initial goal of $30,000, subsequently increasing the annual scholarship award and potentially providing financial support to the Mustafa family.
For more information contact Mike Lange, VetNZ CEO on 03 217 66 88 or email mike.lange@vetsouth.co.nz
Kia ora , thank you - we have cracked $10000.
Thank you so much for all the generous donations so far. And I am hoping soon I can share with you all some exciting news about more funding coming!
Kia ora rawa atu (many thanks)
Kate
A huge thank you to our Australian colleagues who have donated. Again keep spreading the word. Our biggest donation to date from Dermcare for $1000 - Kia ora!
Nga mihi nui (with many thanks)
Kate
We have reached $5000 - thank you to all who have donated! Stay tuned for some exciting news that we can release soon!
Please keep sharing the page. There is also the ability to link Fundraisers to the page - raffles etc could be linked to this page.
Kia ora
Kate
Kia ora, thank you to those who have been so generous in such a short space of time
A photo of the entire family.
