Money dispute for Nark

An organisation set up to stamp out child abuse has been racked by in-fighting.

An online campaign against Nark founder Cherie Sweeney has broken out after she appealed for help with mortgage payments.

Sweeney started Nation of Advocates for the Rights of Kids (Nark), after her Ngaruawahia neighbour, 6-month-old Serenity Jay Scott-Dinnington, died of non-accidental injuries last April.

The group gained more than 13,000 supporters on Facebook and about 160 members. However, at the start of this year, eight board members resigned and a Facebook page, Cherie Nark NZ (Show NZ the Money!), was set up.

Former treasurer and Nark trustee Caroline Cragg said she resigned after people paid for T-shirts and never received them nor receipts.

Ex-members became angry after Sweeney asked for donations for her mortgage.

"Nark supporters can't afford to give her money for her mortgage," Cragg said.

Sweeney said she asked for help to clear her $3500 mortgage arrears.

"I asked if everyone could donate $2 each and a wonderful friend gave me $2481 to clear my mortgage."

She said she could prove all donations for Nark were properly used.

She said nine people ordered T-shirts which was not enough to fulfil a minimum order.

"I contacted all these nine people and did refunds."

She said her internet connection was paid for by Nark because she had been running the campaign from the Ngaruawahia library.