A Tauranga mother is ecstatic after finally raising the $35,000 needed to get her daughter a cochlear implant for her right ear.
Esther Atkins had been fund raising since the beginning of the year for her foster daughter Jurnee McCaskill who was born profoundly deaf.
Mrs Atkins initially understood she needed to fundraise $28,000 to buy Jurnee's implant, but after a doctor's consultation the family found out the planned implant and processor would not work for Jurnee.
Another $7,000 had to be raised for the right one.
Born profoundly deaf Jurnee has faced a life of difficulties in trying to keep up with those around her. The 9-year-old has spent most of her life in silence, never learning how to speak or communicate properly.