First signs of recovery for burns victim Arna

Martinborough girl Arna Hopkins, recovering in an Auckland hospital after being badly burned on September 10, is now able to acknowledge her parents' bedside presence.

Arna, 3, is making progress in her recovery after being burned while she tried to light a candle in memory of her twin sister Mila, who recently died.

Arna is in Middlemore Hospital. Arna's uncle and family spokesman Kane Hopkins told the Times-Age Arna is doing well although she still remains in the Intensive Care Unit.

Her parents Regan and Penny remain at her bedside but Arna's siblings Seb, 4, and Claudia, 6, are back home in Wairarapa.

Arna had more skin grafts earlier this week, and was back in theatre on Friday for the doctors to take a look at her injuries.

"She was able to come to enough to acknowledge Regan and Penny," Kane Hopkins said.

"That was really nice for them."

Mr Hopkins said Arna has tubes to help her breathe and was to have another quiet weekend.

There have been various initiatives undertaken to help support the Hopkins family by businesses, organisations and individuals.

Mrs Hopkins is a teacher at Featherston's St Teresa's School, which is fundraising for Arna.

Office manager Leanne Flack said she would be delivering 12 large boxes of food to the family home this weekend, donated by the school community, Meta Riddiford Kindergarten, Chanel College, and the Catholic Schools Board Head Office.

"We have had a fantastic response."

The school also held a sports themed mufti day and raised $165 for the family.

"We figured the dollars we raised equates to an adult return fare to Auckland for Penny or Regan," she said.

In Martinborough, cafes joined together to hold a morning tea yesterday for Arna and all proceeds from coffees, fluffies, scones and muffins will be donated to the family.

Bruce Laurence, of The Village Cafe, said they often get mothers and children in on a Friday morning and thought it would be great if they could help support Arna.

He put the idea to other cafe owners in the area and Cafe Medici, In.Gre'Di.Ent and Kitcheners all joined in. Any donations can be made to: Support for Arna, National Bank a/c 06-0689-0298651-00 or search "Support for Arna" on Facebook.