Dance to celebrate life of backpacker murdered in New Zealand

Published on Wednesday 7 January 2009 11:40

A dance will be held this weekend in memory of backpacker Karen Aim as the first anniversary of her death approaches.

Around 300 people are expected to attend the Ceilidh for Karen which is taking place on her home island of Orkney.

It is nearly a year since Miss Aim, 26, was killed as she made her way home from a night out in the resort town of Taupo in New Zealand.

A teenage youth has been arrested and charged with her murder and is due to stand trial in the country next month.

Miss Aim's father, Brian, said he had been moved by the kindness of his local community, who organised the event to commemorate the first anniversary of his daughter's death.

Three traditional Scottish bands will play at Saturday's ceilidh and schoolboy Graham Low will perform a piece of fiddle music written specially for the occasion, titled Karen Elizabeth Aim.

"I have been so touched and it is wonderful that people can come to dance and celebrate Karen's life," Mr Aim said.

Miss Aim, who had been working in Taupo on New Zealand's North Island, was found dead in the early hours of January 17 last year.

It was the traveller's second stay in the resort town known for its sky-diving and bungee jumping.

After her death the Taupo community rallied together to arrange for the young woman to be flown home to her family.

A scholarship has since been set up in her name in the New Zealand town.