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Supplied / Stuff
Amberlie’s mother says that she “touched the lives of many.”
The mother of a 3-year-old girl who died on an Upper Hutt playground said her daughter “touched the lives of many.”
Amberlie Pennington-Foley was critically injured in Harcourt Park on Thursday and died shortly thereafter. Police have referred her death, which they described as a tragic accident, to the coroner.
His mother, Emma Pennington-Foley, told him Stuff The entire Upper Hutt community mourns the loss of Amberlie.
“Words alone will never be enough to convey our sincere thanks to everyone who has donated to the Give-a-little page or provided us with food and flowers. The entire Upper Hutt community is mourning the loss of our baby right here with us and it is clear that Amberlie has brought our already strong community closer together. She has truly touched the lives of many.
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“The love and support of everyone around us (and indeed the world) has literally helped us through the last few days. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, ”he said.
She said the family now faces the “overwhelming” cost of bringing their relatives to New Zealand from the UK, from where they moved 9 years ago, during Covid-19 travel restrictions.
A Give-a-little page has raised more than $ 22,400 in less than 24 hours.
Pennington-Foley said it was started by two close friends who thought it would be a way for people to provide “real help during these difficult times, in response to requests from friends, family and the community.”
The page says that Pennington-Foley and her husband’s parents and extended family are still in the UK.
Rosa Woods / Stuff
Police in Upper Hutt Park, where Amberlie died after an accident Thursday.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and global travel restrictions, it is proving very difficult and expensive to bring his family to New Zealand to support each other during this terrible time.”
Pennington-Foley said the government has allowed four close relatives to travel to New Zealand to support the family, including Amberlie’s little brother Theo.
However, it is subject to more paperwork and logistical considerations, which are still being resolved, he said.
Rosa Woods / Stuff
The Upper Hutt playground was closed for hours after the incident while police investigated.
The page indicates that Pennington-Foley’s employer is helping pay to bring some of his immediate family members to New Zealand.
The money raised will go toward travel, quarantine, lodging and a “celebration of Amberlie’s short but happy life,” the page says.
Pennington-Foley said decisions and announcements about the service will be made once the family travel information is confirmed.
Last week, police said they were investigating the incident, calling it a “tragic accident”.
On social media, Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear the news of a child who died today after a tragic accident in Harcourt Park.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We will do everything possible to assist the appropriate authorities with their investigations.”
