In Canterbury, a grandfather’s love for his grandson became something a whole community could gather around.
After the loss of 17-year-old Justin, his grandfather Jimmy wanted to honour him in a way that would help other young people and their whānau. With his family and local community behind him, Jimmy led a fundraiser in support of I Am Hope and youth mental health.
Jimmy said the fundraiser was about the kids, and about helping young people get support before things reach crisis point. That kind of strength is hard to put into words.
A Community Showing Up
The fundraiser brought families together with raffles, auctions, donated prizes and activities for tamariki. Local emergency services also gave their time, helping create a day built on connection, care and community spirit.
For Jimmy, it mattered that the young people who came along could have a good time too.
“I wanted the kids who turn up to have a good time” Jimmy said.
People came together not because they had easy answers, but because they cared.
They showed up for Jimmy.
They showed up for Justin’s whānau.
And they showed up for young people who might need support before it is too late.
Turning Pain Into Something That Helps
Nothing can take away the loss of Justin.
But what Jimmy and his whānau have done is incredibly humbling. In the middle of grief, they chose to create something that reaches outward. Something that says Justin’s name with love, while helping other young people and families across Aotearoa.
As Mike King said: “When a family has lived through the worst kind of loss, and they still choose to turn that pain into help for other kids, it’s truly humbling. Jimmy is doing this in his grandson Justin’s honour, but it will reach kids and families he’ll never meet. That’s what local communities do best, people stepping up to wrap their arms around each other in their worst hour.”
Thank You, Jimmy
To Jimmy, Justin’s whānau, and everyone in the Canterbury community who got behind this fundraiser, thank you.
Thank you for your strength.
Thank you for your generosity.
Thank you for choosing to honour Justin by helping others.
Our thoughts are with Justin’s family, and we are deeply grateful for the love and courage they have shown in his name.
