Pandemic adds thousands to cost of girl's surgery in US
Hi neighbours. A North Shore family preparing to take their daughter for surgery in the United States are facing a raft of expensive, coronavirus-related hurdles.
Four-year-old Lydia Golding, from Hauraki, was born with proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD), a condition which left her with an unformed hip and shortened femur. By maturity, the difference in height is expected to reach about 24cm.
Determined to make their daughter’s dream of walking on two feet come true, parents Hamish and Lauren Golding have remortgaged their home to help pay for bone-lengthening surgery in Florida, which will cost them $340,000 NZD.
However, the coronavirus pandemic has made an already daunting trip even more scary and expensive.
Click below to read more.
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Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland
Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.
A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/
Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.
• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.
• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.
• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.
Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.
Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.
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