A young Australian girl who was once the face of Akubra has taken her own life because of bullying, leaving her family devastated.
Amy Everett, nicknamed “Dolly,” died on Jan. 3. She was only 14 years of age.
Her family, who live in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory, are distraught.
Four days after his daughter’s death, Tick Everett wrote a heartfelt message on his Facebook page thanking people for their support while also addressing the bullies that made his daughter’s life hell.
“If we can help other precious lives from being lost and the suffering of so many, then Doll’s life will not be wasted,” Tick wrote.
“I know for some suicide is considered cowardly but I guarantee those people wouldn’t have half the strength that my precious little angel had, Doll had the strength to do what she thought she had to do to escape the evil in this world.
“However unfortunately Dolly will never know the great pain and emptiness left behind.”
He then challenged the bullies.
“[If] by some chance the people who thought this was a joke and made themselves feel superior by the constant bullying and harassment see this post, please come to our service and witness the complete devastation you have created,” he wrote.
He also asked for other people, the “strong ones,” to stand up to bullies.
Many people leaving messages on his Facebook page not only offered their condolences but shared their own stories of their children had suffered at the hands of bullies.
Amy was also one of the faces used in a Christmas campaign eight years ago by iconic Australian hat maker, Akubra, who released a statement on the teenager’s death.
The company said it was shocked and distressed by the news of her death.
“To think that anyone could feel so overwhelmed and that this was their only option is unfathomable,” said Akubra via Facebook. “Bullying of any type is unacceptable. It is up to us to stand up when we see any kind of bullying behavior.
“Dolly could be anyone’s daughter, sister, friend. We need to make sure that anyone in crisis knows there is always someone to talk to. Be a friend, check up on your mates.”
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