Honouring a Life That Continues to Inspire.
Meet Katrina
Katrina Louise Wakeling (nee Hastings) was a deeply loved mother, wife, daughter, sister, wife, friend and respected professional whose life was defined by compassion, integrity and a genuine commitment to helping others.
Known for her warmth, generosity and infectious spirit, Katrina had a remarkable ability to make people feel seen, valued and supported. She brought people together, lifted those around her and approached life with kindness, courage and a determination to make a positive difference.
Whether through her family, friendships, workplace or community, Katrina left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Many who knew her simply described it as her sparkle — a unique gift for bringing light, hope and connection wherever she went.
Though her life was far too short, the values she lived by continue to inspire the work of Katrina's Sparkle today: caring for others, strengthening communities, creating opportunities and helping people realise their potential.
"31 wonderful years filled with passion, spirit, love, laughter and the determination to make a difference."
"Her profound influence continues through all the lives she ever touched."
A Life That Left a Lasting Legacy
In December 2009, Katrina's life was tragically cut short when she suffered a sudden stroke at just 31 years of age. Her passing left an immeasurable void in the lives of her family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
The loss was profound. Katrina was a devoted mother and wife, a cherished daughter and sister, and a woman whose future held so much promise. Yet even in her absence, the impact of her life continued to be felt through the countless people she had touched with her kindness, compassion and generosity.
While grief became part of the family's journey, so too did a determination to ensure Katrina's spirit and values would continue to make a difference in the lives of others.
Rather than allowing her story to end there, her family chose to honour her legacy by creating something that would continue the work she was so naturally drawn to throughout her life — caring for people, supporting community and helping create opportunities for a brighter future.
Today, Katrina's Sparkle stands as a living tribute to a remarkable woman whose influence continues to inspire positive change long after she is gone.
"Our lives are shaped as much by those who leave us as they are by those who stay."
"Loss is our legacy. Insight is our gift. Memory is our guide."
Turning Loss Into Lasting Impact
Katrina's Sparkle was founded as an expression of gratitude for Katrina's life and a commitment to ensuring her values continue to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Established by family and friends, Katrina's Sparkle comprises Katrina's Sparkle Inc and the Katrina's Sparkle Fund, through which tax-deductible donations can be made. Together, they honour Katrina's belief in caring for people, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for those who need them most. What began as a response to unimaginable loss has evolved into a lasting legacy dedicated to creating safer, stronger and more connected communities.
At its heart, Katrina's Sparkle is guided by a simple but powerful purpose:
Turning dreams into reality and creating opportunities for a brighter and safer future.
Inspired by Katrina's spirit, the organisation supports initiatives that promote child and family safety, strengthen family harmony and cohesion, empower young people, advance education and create opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive.
Every grant awarded, every partnership formed and every dollar raised is an investment in the future — helping ensure Katrina's compassion, generosity and commitment to others continues to create meaningful impact for generations to come.
Today, Katrina's Sparkle works alongside its social enterprise partner KSafeT to extend that impact even further, supporting programs that build confidence, resilience, wellbeing and life-saving skills throughout our communities.
Because while one life may end too soon, the difference that life makes can continue forever.
Creating Impact Together
To date, the organisation has distributed nearly $150,000 to charitable causes and community initiatives, supporting family wellbeing, youth development, educational opportunities, social justice programs, women's and children's safety initiatives, and medical research. These contributions represent more than financial support — they represent lives impacted, opportunities created and communities strengthened.
Working alongside our social enterprise partner KSafeT, we continue to create opportunities for education, empowerment and positive community outcomes. Through practical safety education, community programs and strategic partnerships, we are helping build confidence, resilience and connection where it matters most.
Every donation, fundraising event, partnership and act of support contributes to a growing legacy of impact.
Together, we are proving that one person's kindness can continue to inspire positive change long after they are gone.
Impact Highlights
$150,000+
Distributed to charitable causes and community initiatives.
17+ Years
Honouring Katrina's legacy through community impact.
Countless Lives
Supported through education, opportunity and connection.
One Shared Vision
Creating safer, stronger and more connected communities for future generations.
The Family Behind the Mission
Katrina's Sparkle remains a family-led legacy, guided by those who knew and loved Katrina best.
The Family continue to steward the organisation with the same values that defined Katrina's life — compassion, integrity, generosity and a commitment to helping others.
As a way of honouring Katrina’s memory, Katrina’s Sparkle creates opportunities that support children, families and communities.
Following Katrina's passing, the families commitment to creating safer environments for children and families inspired the establishment of KSafeT, a certified social enterprise dedicated to delivering practical safety education and emergency preparedness training. Through this work, the family continues to honour the many families who deserve access to life-saving knowledge and support.
Together, the family share a vision of building a lasting legacy that extends beyond one generation. Their hope is that future generations will continue carrying Katrina's values forward, ensuring her spirit continues to inspire positive change for many years to come.
At its heart, Katrina's Sparkle is more than a charity. It is a family's commitment to transforming loss into hope, purpose and opportunity for others.
Katrina’s Legacy Timeline
2009
A Legacy Begins
Following Katrina's passing, her family honoured her wishes through organ donation and committed to creating a lasting legacy that reflected her values of compassion, generosity and service to others.
2010
Katrina's Sparkle Fund Established
The Katrina's Sparkle Fund was established, with Team Katrina launching at Relay For Life to begin raising funds and awareness for causes close to Katrina's heart.
2011
Creating Opportunities Through Education
The Reading Room in Lamjung, Nepal was established, inspired by Katrina's desire to improve educational opportunities for young people, particularly girls. This year also saw the launch of the first Katrina's Sparkle newsletter, grants supporting child and family services, the VISY Safety Award, and the Gennazzano Book Prize.
2012
Bringing Community Together
The inaugural High Tea by the Sea brought together family, friends and supporters to celebrate the first anniversary of the Katrina's Sparkle Fund and continue building community support.
2013
Bollywood Comes to Berwick
A vibrant community fundraising event was held to support the ongoing development of the Nepal Reading Room and continue creating educational opportunities for future generations.
2014
Going Further for a Cause
Supporters gathered for a fundraising dinner in Berwick, while others took on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for the causes supported by Katrina's Sparkle.
2015
Just Keep Swimming
During a visit to Nepal, supporters saw first-hand the impact of the Reading Room project despite being caught in the devastating Nepal earthquake. This year also saw the creation of the KSafeKids business name and the installation of the Just Keep Swimming aquarium at the St John of God Berwick Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
2016
Growing Community Demand
The KSafeKids paediatric first aid awareness program was temporarily suspended after demand exceeded available resources, highlighting the growing need for community safety education.
2018
Ten Years of Impact
Team Katrina celebrated ten years of Relay For Life involvement while Katrina's Sparkle continued to strengthen its governance and charitable foundations.
2019
Supporting Families Through Education
KSafeKids was relaunched and began working alongside Dads Group, helping parents and caregivers build confidence through practical child safety education.
2020–2024
Continuing the Legacy
Throughout these years, Katrina's Sparkle continued distributing grants and supporting charitable causes aligned with its mission of creating opportunities for children, families and communities.
2025
A New Chapter Begins
KSafeT was launched as a certified social enterprise, extending the impact of Katrina's Sparkle through practical safety education while helping fund future community initiatives.
Today
$150,000+ Distributed
Since its establishment, Katrina's Sparkle has distributed more than $150,000 to charitable causes and community initiatives, continuing Katrina's legacy of kindness, opportunity and service.
Looking Forward
While we are proud of what has been achieved so far, we believe the greatest impact is still ahead.
Katrina's Sparkle was founded on the belief that one person's life can continue to create positive change long after they are gone. As we look to the future, our focus is on building a sustainable legacy that will continue supporting children, families and communities for generations to come.
Our vision is to grow the Katrina's Sparkle Fund to $100,000 by 2028, creating a strong foundation that enables ongoing grants, scholarships, community initiatives and programs aligned with our charitable purpose. By strengthening the fund today, we can create even greater opportunities tomorrow.
Together with our supporters, partners, volunteers and community, we are committed to expanding our impact through family safety initiatives, youth development opportunities, educational support, community partnerships and programs that help people thrive.
Every donation, every conversation and every act of support helps move us closer to that vision.
Katrina's legacy reminds us that positive change begins with people who care enough to act.
We invite you to be part of that journey.
Together, we can create safer futures, stronger communities and brighter opportunities for generations to come.
Our Mission
To achieve our target of $100,000 by 2028
Building a sustainable legacy fund that continues supporting children, families and communities through education, opportunity and positive social impact.
Help Continue Katrina's Legacy
Donate
Help fund community initiatives, scholarships and programs that support families, children and young people.
Partner
Work alongside us to create greater impact through shared purpose and community collaboration.
Join Our Community
Stay connected, share our mission and help spread awareness of the work being done to create safer, stronger and more connected communities.
"Her profound influence continues through all the lives she ever touched."