Book of condolence for Karen Aim
Following the tragic and unnecessary death of Scottish Tourist Karen Aim last week, a book of condolence has been made available for members of the community to sign and a memorial fund has been set up.
The book will be available in the foyer of the Great Lake Centre for members of the Taupo community to sign and express their feelings of sympathy for Karen's parents in the Orkney Islands. The book will be open from 1 pm on Tuesday 22 January and will be closed at 4 pm on Friday 25 January.
Alan Robertson, a close friend of Karen’s from Orkney Island who in lives in Taupo will be passing the book onto Karen’s family. Alan will also be taking Karen back home to the Orkney Islands and to her family, then returning to Taupo.
In response to members of the Taupo community wanting to make donations, the "Karen Aim Memorial Fund" has been opened at the Bank of New Zealand. Anyone wishing to make a donation towards the fund is welcome to do so at the Taupo branch of Bank of New Zealand and Council offices including Lake Terrace, Gillespie Plaza, Turangi, Mangakino and the Visitor iSites. Funds will be put towards Alan’s return flight and any further funds will be used for a permanent memorial for Karen, within the Taupo Township.
Following the blessing held on Friday night, a full memorial service is to be held in Karen's honour at St Paul’s Union Presbyterian Church, situated on the corner of Tamamutu Street and Rifle Range Road, at 5.30 pm on 29 January 2008.
Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper is encouraging members of the community to sign the book and make a donation to the Karen Aim fund. “I’m asking all of the decent, caring people of the Taupo community to come along to this memorial service or sign the book of condolence to pay respect to Karen and show our support for her family”.
“The Taupo community now needs to pull together and demonstrate to our own people and to the wider world that the senseless act of 17 January, when Karen Aim’s life was taken, will not be tolerated,” said the Mayor.