An updated statement from family of 5 year old Turangi assault victim

The parents of the 5 year old girl assaulted in Turangi this week have again thanked the public for the gifts, messages, emails and cards sent to them at Waikato Hospital and also thanked those who donated $8395.44 yesterday to a special trust fund.

But the generosity of the New Zealand public has been so overwhelming the family asked the public to please consider giving the gifts to children's charities or to children in need at Christmas. (See earlier police release)

Gifts left at Waikato Hospital yesterday and today will be distributed around the children's wards on Christmas Day at the request of the family and then to children's charities.

A trust fund has been set up at Westpac Bank, account number 03-1555-0150947-00 under the name “Operation Turangi”. After the first half day in operation, $8395.44 had been donated.

Two independent trustees will work with the parents to ensure the money is used for the benefit of the 5 year old and her family.

To send a message to the family, either give it to Main Enquiries, Menzies Building, Waikato Hospital from 8am to 8pm daily, post c/o Mary Anne Gill, Waikato DHB, P.O. Box 934, Hamilton 3240 or email news@waikatodhb.health.nz - nearly 500 emails have been received to date - the parents have been reading them and are overwhelmed by the response of the New Zealand public.

Earlier message

The family of the 5 year old girl assaulted in Turangi yesterday have today acknowledged the hundreds of messages they’ve received from the public.

They want to continue their anonymity for their daughter’s sake but say they are overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown to them.

They thanked the police, St John Ambulance, Waikato Hospital staff, particularly the surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists involved in their daughter’s operation, and the ongoing care from doctors, nurses and other staff on the ward.

“For us, we want to get on with our daughter’s recovery,” said the parents.