Fatal horse accident forges B Kinder Foundation
The death of her 12 year old daughter led Danny Mayson-Kinder on a kindness crusade that is changing the lives of country kids.
In 2016 Danny Mayson-Kinder faced a parent’s worst nightmare: the loss of a child.
It was then 12-year-old Billie Mayson-Kinder, a junior state show jumping champion, was killed in a tragic horse accident on the family property near Sydney.
Billie’s heartbroken parents Danny and Dave, and her older sister Charlie, were left shattered and broken.
“When Billie died, the world came crashing down,” Danny said.
“We had this thing as a family … we were together always … one in, all in. If we couldn’t all do it, we just didn’t do it.
“I can’t imagine what it was like for Charlie going from an incredibly happy family to devastated, on-the-floor parents.”
Danny said Charlie, who was 15 at the time, became her reason to get up every day.
“I wanted to show her resilience and courage and we tried our hardest to be as together as we could,” Danny said.
Out of the tragedy came an incredible story of hope and love, and Billie’s legacy is now one of kindness with the formation of a charity from her initials – the B Kinder Foundation.
Billie, renowned for her empathy and kindness, was a prolific poetry and story writer and had received a scholarship to high school based on her literary talent.
She had always wanted to write a book and after her death, the family gathered all she had written, and published Hope.
The book was originally intended as a family keepsake but more than 8000 copies have now been sold.
Billie’s words had helped start important conversations between parents and children who were struggling in life.
“It was quite impactful that Billie’s words were touching these kids,” Danny said.
“She wrote about love, family, injustice and even death. She was a deep little soul.”
Billie’s insightful words and artwork are now used in interactive workbooks and wellbeing programs for primary-aged kids to encourage them to become kinder, more empathetic and more compassionate.
Danny, who lives at Primrose Sands, Tasmania, said children in rural areas were particularly susceptible to the impacts of loneliness, bullying, mental health issues and suicide, and the B Kinder programs were working to help them.
“These children relate to Billie … she empowers them … if she can make a difference, so can they,” Danny said.
“It has turned into something really powerful.”
The B Kinder Foundation has school leadership programs, Billie’s Bench, B Kinder Day and Walk for a Kinder World events. B Kinder Day has 160 schools participating around Australia, while 58 schools are also using the workbooks.
The B Kinder Council initiative has also recently been launched to encourage local leaders to role model kindness in the community. B Kinder Workplaces are also planned.
“It is early intervention. There are so many things in the world set up for band-aiding but why aren’t we targeting the cause and stopping it before it happens?” Danny said.
Teaching kids empathy and instilling it from a young age was an antidote for rising mental health statistics and bullying.
“It has become my journey,” Danny said.
“I am Billie’s voice now. It is very humbling to make a difference. If I have to be here without her, then I have to do something worthwhile.”
Danny Mason-Kinder is a nominee in the 2024 Shine Awards.
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