A West Auckland mother is stunned after superstar songstress Lorde donated $10,000 to help her struggling family.
Family of Devora Busch and Richard Barry started a Give a Little page to help the family after they faced losing their home if they could not raise more than $250,000 to fix their leaky home.
The Titirangi couple have three children, one of whom, 10-year-old Rheegan, is severely autistic and among New Zealand's highest-needs children.
Rheegan also has pica, a disorder which means she will eat anything, creating life-threatening situations daily.
Repairs to their home are partially funded by Government and council assistance packages for owners of leaky homes, but they still face a significant financial burden to pay for rent while repairs take place, and costs associated with Rheegan's care.
The Give a Little page has raised more than $66,000 since it was launched in March, but received its biggest boost when Lorde, real name Ella Yelich-O'Connor, donated $10,000.
"Sending best wishes and love to you and your parents, Rhee. Xxxx," Lorde wrote next to her donation.
Busch this afternoon described the double Grammy-award winner's generosity as "amazing".
"I know her music but I'm completely stunned to know how she found it and what a freakishly small world it is.
"What an amazing young woman she is."
Busch found out about the donation when her own mother texted yesterday.
"There's no personal connection so I'm very humbled that she would think of us."
All the support they had received since going public with their situation, which was also exacerbated by Richard Barry having to give up his job as a teacher due to severe hearing loss and health problems, was wonderful, Busch said.
"It's a hard situation to have to put yourself out there ... but it's been a phenomenal embrace from the people of New Zealand."
