Donations get sick Christchurch boy to family wedding
A Christchurch family were able to get their dying child to a family wedding thanks to the generosity of the New Zealand public.
Kiwis donated more than $12,000 to ensure 3-year-old Byson Bennett could be a ring bearer at his aunt's wedding in Napier on April 11.
The young family were overwhelmed by support from the public after Byson's story was highlighted by Fairfax Media.
His parents, Jasmine and Rikki Bennett, had feared they would not be able to make the family event, which could be the last chance extended relatives had to see Byson.
Donations quickly poured in though, with more than $10,000 given to a Givealittle fundraising page and $2000 raised through a TradeMe auction.
The family were also offered free accommodation in Napier, free flights for Byson and his grandmother between Christchurch and Wellington, and a free visit to Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park after the wedding as Byson had never been there before.
Byson was born with hydrocephalus - commonly known as water on the brain - and biliary atresia, a rare liver disorder.
He needed a liver transplant but was unable to have one because there was no guarantee it would improve his quality of life.
The family - including older siblings Julius, 5, and Oceanah, 4 - spent five days in Napier and were able to visit the National Aquarium of New Zealand, Trainworld and Ocean Spa hot pools.
About 30 to 40 people attended the wedding of Byson's aunt Renee and her new husband, Reece Christie. The family were excited to be able to see Byson, Bennett said.
"Renee was over the moon. She was glad he was able to come."
The family returned to Christchurch on Monday to find Make-A-Wish had set up a spa pool for them in their backyard.
"[Byson] absolutely loves it. We couldn't turn off the jets otherwise he'd cry," Bennett said.
She thanked those who helped the family get to Napier.
"We're very thankful that we got to go and we really enjoyed ourselves," she said.
"The kids had the time of their lives."
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