Editorial: Rally around child in need

Haylee Paul

I can only imagine how traumatic it has been for the parents of Kylani Murray to watch their child's health deteriorate rapidly.

The 18-month-old suffers from a rare motor neuron disease.

Three months ago, Kylani, who lives with her parents on Matakana Island, was walking, talking, sitting up, enjoying the outdoors and loving independent milestones such as feeding herself.

Now she is bedridden and too weak to smile.

Her mother Haylee Paul told the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend Kylani's deteriorating condition had been hard for her family.

"She no longer walks, she no longer smiles. We miss her smile."

She and her partner, Ted Murray, hope stem cell treatment available only in the United States will help their ailing child, but cannot afford the $30,000 price tag.

The community is rallying behind them to help raise the funds needed.

As part of the fundraising bid, Kylani's second cousin Mate Samuels has begun a challenge to walk the entire shoreline of Matakana Island to help make it happen.

The Mount Maunganui father-of-five has been training for the past two weeks for the 60km-70km trek on December 12. It will be the first attempt of its kind. He has spent the past two weeks trying to raise awareness for his cause and trying to attract input from local businesses.

The family has been overwhelmed by the support.

The Bay community, which has built a reputation for supporting those in need, will hopefully get behind Mr Samuel's bid to help this family in their time of need.