My name is Kylie, and I’ve created this fundraiser to support my beautiful friend Rachelle and her family after a devastating accident in New Zealand, shortly after arriving to visit a friend.

What should have been an exciting trip quickly turned into a nightmare, leaving Rachelle with life-threatening injuries and facing a long and incredibly difficult road to recovery.

The extent of her injuries has been severe, and we are beyond grateful she survived.

Rachelle suffered multiple facial fractures, a subdural haemorrhage (bleeding on the brain), pneumocephalus, spinal fractures including an L1 burst fracture and T3 fracture, a collapsed lung, and traumatic injuries including her tongue being split in half, along with deep lacerations to her forehead and upper lip.

In just one week, she has already undergone four major surgeries, with a fifth surgery still to come once she returns home to Australia. Her recovery will involve ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, specialist care, and many months of healing… both physically and emotionally.

Right now, the focus is on helping Rachelle recover and bringing her safely home to Australia, where she can continue her journey surrounded by the love and support of family and friends.

Anyone who knows Rachelle knows the kind of person she is- caring, loyal, strong, and always the first to show up for others. Now, during the hardest chapter of her life, she needs that same support in return.

Beyond the physical and emotional trauma, Rachelle and her family are now facing enormous financial pressure. Between ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, Rachelle’s loss of income, and the long recovery ahead, the expenses are continuing to build every day.

Doctors expect Rachelle’s recovery to take at least a year at best, with the possibility of an even longer road ahead.

Our hope is to ease some of the financial pressure so Rachelle can focus fully on healing, one day at a time.

Every donation, no matter the amount, will make a genuine difference. And if you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this page would mean the world to us.

Thank you for standing beside Rachelle and reminding her that she is not facing this alone.