LOCAL charity Fly High Billie will donate all money raised from the sale of its books and greeting cards between now and Christmas to suicide prevention charity R U OK?.
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Fly High Billie (which is currently in the process of becoming a registered charity) was set-up by the Kinder family of Pitt Town, in memory of their beloved daughter and sister Billie who was killed in a freak horse accident in May last year when she was 12 years old.
After Billie’s death, the Kinders published a book called Hope - a collection of Billie’s poems, stories and artwork - as well as a range of greeting cards featuring excerpts from Billie’s poems, which they now sell through the Fly High Billie website.
Billie’s mum, Danny Mayson-Kinder, said she chose to donate funds to the R U OK? campaign in the lead up to Christmas because she wanted to try to get people to think of others and connect with them at this time.
“R U OK? are trying to encourage everyone to start a conversation that could change a life,” said Ms Mayson-Kinder.
“Sending one of Billie's beautiful cards, just to say ‘Hi’, or ‘Merry Christmas’ could significantly help someone struggling. Christmas can be a lonely time for a lot of people.”
Hope has now sold 4000 copies in 12 countries, garnering $70,000 which has been donated to a range of charities including Bear Cottage at Westmead Children’s Hospital and Assistance Dogs Australia.
“We have donated monies towards the Bear Cottage Education fund and their therapy dog, Frankie. Donations to Assistance Dogs Australia have now funded a dog called Hope for a child with Autism and also a dog which will be named Billie and go to someone living with post traumatic stress disorder,” said Ms Mayson-Kinder.
“Through her amazing gifts of empathy and insight, Hope was put together with the intention of inspiring and giving hope to others. Children relate to a child's voice and identify with Billie’s thoughts on deeper issues. This book is giving parents/guardians the opportunity to talk to their children about not only hopes, dreams and family but also bullying, racism and even death.
“Billie was not your average 12 year old and it is evident in her amazing ability to put into words much of what children must be thinking and yet never talk about.”
A pack of four greeting cards costs $12 and Billie’s book Hope costs $25; purchase online from the Fly High Billie website at www.flyhighbillie.com, or from retail store Jewellery by a Farmer’s Daughter in the Windsor mall.
