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Islanders have donated more than £50,000 in less than 24 hours to a mental health charity fundraiser set up by the brother of a 14-year-old JCG student who died suddenly this week - and the Government is being urged to match fund it.
Announcing the news of her passing, Kezia Mason’s “heartbroken” parents, Rob and Esther, paid tribute to the teen who “was, and still is, loved so much by so many.”
"The thought of her not being here to boss us around any more is incomprehensible," they wrote on Tuesday.
Yesterday, her brother, Ben, set up a JustGiving page with an aim of raising £1,500 for mental health charities.
He explained that, in the wake of Kezia's death, the family had been "overwhelmed with love and support and questions of, 'What can we do?'"
"I have decided to create this page so that people who have been affected by our tragic news, can donate money which will be given to teenage mental health charities," he said.
"I hope with all my heart that it will save one person and their family from suffering a similar tragedy."
Within one hour, the page had reached its fundraising target - within four, it stood at 10 times the initial goal.
Later, Ben raised the goal to £50,000. This morning, the total was nearly £54,000.
Many of the fundraiser's 1,600-plus donors paid tribute to Kezia, while also praising the fortitude of her brother. One wrote that the appeal had "touched everyone in Jersey".
Another family wrote: "What you are doing is giving so many people a ray of light at this dark time."
Pictured: The JustGiving page total this morning.
Ben said the support "means the world to me and my family", adding: "All the money will be used to fund existing charities and/or develop a new charity dedicated to Kezia."
Senator Kristina Moore shared her condolences with the family on Twitter and called for the Government to make its own donation.
Lamenting the "devastating loss of a beautiful, young life", she added: "Our young need greater support. The speed with which this fund raiser has reached its target shows that our community understands that. I hope @GovJersey will match it."
Devastating loss of a beautiful, young life. My heart goes out to @LucyStevoJSY & all of Kez’s family & friends. Our young need greater support. The speed with which this fund raiser has reached its target shows that our community understands that. I hope @GovJersey will match it https://t.co/LAtHrT7Gmx
— Kristina Moore (@Moore4Jersey) March 10, 2022
At Kezia's school, Jersey College for Girls, there has this week been an "outpouring of care and love for Kezia, her parents, family, friends and each other."
On Tuesday, the school's Dome area was "transformed through the beautiful addition of hundreds of flowers" as well as memories and photos of the Year 10 student, according to Principal Carl Howarth.
The flowers were taken to Kezia's family that afternoon and student and staff memories will be given to them at a later time.
School Principal, Carl Howarth, said they would aim to strike a balance "between embracing the comfort and stability of routine, planned events, and making the adjustments needed for our community to be able to grieve." The school's Spring Concert, which was due to take place on Thursday evening, was postponed.
Pictured: Students and staff left "beautiful tributes" for Kezia.
While Mr Howarth said the school community had demonstrated immense care for each other, specialist support has also been available at JCG for grieving students this week, with a bereavement counsellor due to be in school today.
Mr Howarth has also been meeting with students throughout the week.
Speaking on Tuesday, he said: "When I met with students today, I told them about a painted stone Kezia gave me as we went into lockdown in March 2020.
"On it, Kezia had written, 'One day or Day one, you choose. I will miss you.'
"Today is day one of learning to live without Kezia and we deeply miss her too."
CLICK HERE to donate to the fundraiser for mental health charities in Kezia Mason's memory.
Samaritans - Call for free from any phone on 116 123.
Mind Jersey - www.mindjersey.org
'Help is at Hand' - The Government has put together a guide for individuals bereaved by suicide which includes information about how they might be feeling, what practical matters you're likely to have to deal with and suggestions on further support in the weeks and months ahead. Click HERE to read it.
YES project - The Youth Enquiry Service provides information, advice and counselling for 16-25 year-olds. Open 12:00 to 20:00 every day. Visit yes.je or telephone 0800 7350 010.
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