Karen Ritchie (right) at Cartier fundraiser Wigarama 'Mum of K’ Rd' Karen Ritchie has been nominated for One News’ segment ‘Good Sorts’, which celebrates the good in every community. The respected Aucklander has become something of a mother figure to many in the glbti community. She’s the founding trustee of the Cartier Trust, which helps fund the funerals of people who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. She’s helped many through dealing with being diagnosed HIV positive, sat with countless people as they have died, helped bridge what can be a tricky gap between family members and the glbti community and encouraged people to overcome misinformation and stigma. Ritchie is also the co-chair of the K’ Rd Safety Group, which was set up as a result of concerns about violence in and around Auckland’s gay hub, and through Body Positive runs a group for people under-35 who have been diagnosed HIV positive. She was nominated for Good Sorts by friend Matty Jackson who says she is a community stalwart who often puts others before herself. “She is one to stay out to all ours of the night, and morning, building a great network and relationships with the community. Not bad for a straight woman,” he says. “She is an ear, a confidante, support and just a general good sort. I nominated her as I felt that she does so much for others and it’s about time we did something for her. She is a fighter for the HIV/AIDS related illness, stands up to stigma but also talks people through their diagnosis and helps to tell the family. “She has nursed many in their final days and hours all for no pay and often at personal expense. There is so much more that she does that people won’t know but I think most people know who ‘mother’ is and know of the work she does.” Good Sorts airs every Sunday during ONE News.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 20th May 2014 - 11:01am