Comparing fallen soldiers to children who have suffered child abuse is a strong message, but one Nation of Advocates for the Right of Kids founder Cherie Kurarangi-Sweeney hopes gets the issues across.

NARK is holding its first ‘Stop Death by Abuse' memorial service on September 3 at 12pm for children who have died as a result of child abuse.

See video below of NARK Tauranga organiser Suzy Brown talking about how important Saturday's awareness campaign is.

Cherie says the act of placing one soft toy at war memorials around the country will act as a powerful symbol that New Zealander's stand against child abuse and in memory of the 'fallen heroes – the many children lost to child abuse”.

'Since our great soldiers passed, there has been none other like them, except for these babies. I want a nation to accept awareness because for these children that's the very least we can be. Aware.”

NARK was developed after Cherie was branded a ‘nark' for speaking to police about the death of Ngaruawahia baby Serenity Scott-Dinnington in April this year. Cherie turned this label around to form the organisation campaigning against child abuse.

Tauranga NARK memorial service organiser Suzy Brown says child abuse is a subject she is passionate about after acting as a foster parent for Child Youth and Family – fostering many children who had suffered from abuse.

'The children I was fostering were mostly pre-school aged as that is the area I specialise in. I saw the call out for a NARK organiser in Tauranga and signed up straight away.”

She says she hopes lots of people will support the cause, in addition to the Tauranga City councillor and CYFs staff who are on board.

Cherie hopes the event is successful and becomes an annual memorial service.

For more information visit www.nark.org.nz