FRIENDS of murdered teenager Bella Petersen will pay tribute to the 15-year-old this weekend with their local rugby club holding a fundraiser to help support her family.
Ellenbrook Rabbitohs will play their home games at Harberton Parkway in honour Bella and her murdered mother Michelle (48) and brother Rua (8).
The club has started accepting donations during training and will run a sausage sizzle during the Saturday and Sunday games, with all money passed on to the remaining family members.
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READ NOWFollowing the murders on Sunday, the club posted the National Rugby League’s mental health awareness campaign, State Of Mind, on Facebook.
“It is a sad day in Ellenbrook with the passing of three people in our community,” the post read.
“We will be taking donations at the club on training nights to pass on to the family in this time of need and to show our support.
“We will be running a sausage sizzle at this weekend’s home games with all proceeds going to the family along with other donations and a percentage from our canteens takings.
“If you think you need help with any of life’s challenges please ask – we are here!”
Family friend Toni Ata has also set up a GoFundMe page to further support the family financially, with more than the $20,000 goal raised within a two days.
On learning of her friend’s death, Ms Ata shared a video on Facebook in which she said, “I sit here grieving for their whole family because not only have they lost their mum and their brother and sister, but another brother too, to mental illness”.
“It’s just terrible, it’s such a tragedy.”
Bella, a student at Ellenbrook Secondary College, was found critically injured in the backyard of her family’s Brixton Crescent home on Sunday and died on the way to Royal Perth Hospital.
Ms Petersen and Rua were found dead by police inside the home.
Bella’s brother Teancum Vernon Petersen-Crofts (19) appeared in Midland court on Monday and was remanded to the Frankland Centre unit at Graylands Hospital.
He is due to appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on July 23.
Anyone who needs support should call Lifeline on 13 11 44 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.