About 200 supporters of Lauren Dickason are expected to march next month in Christchurch ahead of her sentencing.

South African doctor Dickason, 42, was found guilty by a jury of murdering her twin daughters, Maya and Karla, 2, and their older sister Liané, 6, on the night of September 16, 2021, in Timaru.

She is in custody at Christchurch’s Hillmorton Hospital awaiting sentencing.

A peaceful march in support of Dickason and maternal mental health would be held in Christchurch on Saturday, November 18, a spokesperson for the supporters group said.

“The verdict of Lauren Dickason’s case has had a devastating impact on women globally. Just as the doors to discussing maternal mental health were opening, they were slammed shut by the treatment of Lauren during and after her trial.”

The group intended to meet outside the city’s justice precinct and walk to the Botanic Gardens in custom made blue T-shirts with ‘support not silence’ printed on them. The walk would be followed by a picnic with supporters holding sunflowers, which has become the group’s symbol.

They would also hold flags of the countries supporters were from, including South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Namibia, Canada, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Israel, Vietnam, Mauritius and Germany.

Those who could not attend would also be linked in using video on phones. There would be a police presence to ensure the safety of marchers, the spokesperson said.

“As many people, especially women have been attacked on social media due to their support for Lauren, naturally many people are fearful that they’ll be attacked physically in a march.

“We know that the negativity and attacks displayed in comments on news articles are not a true reflection of society. Despite knowing this, women are still fearful.”

Any person interested in supporting Dickason or maternal mental health could attend.

The closed Facebook group ‘Support for Lauren Dickason’ of over 1800 members had provided a safe place for women to boldly speak up about maternal mental health, the spokesperson said.

“Many people have formed deep friendships with each other in the group and have met in person already, not only in New Zealand but other countries too.”

The Press revealed a handwritten letter written by Dickason to her supporters, some of whom she’d been in direct contact with, earlier this month in which she thanked them and detailed how she’d been sleeping with teddy bears sewn from her children’s clothing.

Dickason also told them in a separate letter: “I don’t think I can ever forgive myself for what happened.”

Restrictions were then imposed preventing her from sending and receiving letters in custody.

More than 1400 supporters have signed a petition asking that Dickason be sentenced leniently for the murder of her three children due to her postpartum depression.

Justice Cameron Mander will ultimately decide her sentence and where it is served on December 19.