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JCG closes to host special celebration of student's life

JCG closes to host special celebration of student's life

Friday 25 March 2022

JCG closes to host special celebration of student's life

Friday 25 March 2022


Jersey College for Girls has closed today in order to stage a special celebration of the life of one its students, whose sudden death led to more than £100,000 in donations to mental health charities.

The passing of 14-year-old Kezia Mason, a talented young performer and netballer, earlier this month led to floods of tributes from the school and wider island community.

Her brother Ben quickly set up a fundraising page in her memory to support the island's teenage mental health services, while JCG's dome was filled with flowers, photos and letters sharing memories of Kezia.

Kezia

Pictured: Students and staff left "beautiful tributes" for Kezia.

Yesterday, an inquest opened into the 14-year-old's death. The aim of inquest is to establish how an individual came by their death and whether any lessons can be learned. Shortly after opening, the Coroner adjourned the inquest pending the results of further tests. 

Today's celebration, which is due to be attended by family, close friends, teachers and Kezia's peers from Year 10, is taking place today at noon in the College Hall.

Donations to the fundraiser set up by Ben Mason continue to grow.

On launching the JustGiving page, he explained that, in the wake of Kezia's death, his 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."

kezia.jpg

Pictured: Kezia's brother hopes that donations in her memory will help the family set up something "that will benefit young people for a long time."

At the time of writing, 2,860 islanders have donated and the fundraising total currently stands at more than £102,500.

CLICK HERE to donate to the fundraiser for mental health charities in Kezia Mason's memory.

SUPPORT...

Kooth - a safe online platform where young people can discuss their feelings with others. Users can also book sessions with counsellors via the platform. It can be accessed HERE and users should select 'Jersey Kooth' when they sign up.

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.

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 informatio​n 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.

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