We can proudly announce that with your support, the

Coastal Walk of 2022 raised:

$13,407

THE

#coastalwalkofsupport

GALLERY

COASTAL WALK OF SUPPORT 2024

WHEN: Sunday the 24th of March 2024

WHERE: West Barratt Reserve, West Lakes

TIME: 10am

We will notify you via email when registrations open.

  "I Wish I Knew" - CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2022 

This is Dee-Jaye and Jayden's heartbreaking story following the birth, love and loss of their 17 week old son ~ Bronlee William Kotua Tau ~

Donating to this year's Christmas Appeal could ensure a greater reach of Infant Safe Sleep Sessions to assist in the prevention of unnecessary deaths of infants like Bronlee, and to offer support and hope to those deep in the grief journey. Dee-Jaye shares her harrowing story with us;

***“We had the best 17 weeks with Bronlee making memories, and always wish we did so much more…. but you never think your baby is going to pass away. Knowing I wasn’t there for his final moments absolutely destroys me every single day as I constantly wish I was holding him, or even better, may have changed the course of his life.”***

Needing urgent surgery for a personal health issue, Dee-Jaye was admitted into hospital on Friday the 23rd of August. Having slept well and preparing for surgery, she checked in with her partner Jayden to say, ‘Good Morning’ and see how her precious boy, Bronlee slept overnight without her being present. Jayden did not respond to her message. Without warning, Dee-Jaye’s life was about to take a dramatic turn.

***“At 9am the nurse came into my hospital room and told me I had a visitor and I needed to go with her. I did think it was a little odd because visiting hours weren’t until 10am but I followed the nurse despite these thoughts. The nurse then took me into a room where I walked in to see my mum standing there crying and Jayden sitting down crying. I didn’t see Bronlee. Instantly, I felt that maybe he had been hurt or injured. I did not think he had died; I mean I don’t think anyone would think that. But then my mum told me “Dee-Jaye, Bronlee had stopped breathing in his sleep last night, I’m so sorry.”***

No parent should have to experience the heartbreak of wishing to make memories that can never be. Our compassionate grief counsellors are there to help parents from the moment those dreams shatter.

 ***“At 9am the nurse came into my hospital room and told me I had a visitor and I needed to go with her. I did think it was a little odd because visiting hours weren’t until 10am but I followed the nurse despite these thoughts. The nurse then took me into a room where I walked in to see my mum standing there crying and Jayden sitting down crying. I didn’t see Bronlee. Instantly, I felt that maybe he had been hurt or injured. I did not think he had died; I mean I don’t think anyone would think that. But then my mum told me “Dee-Jaye, Bronlee had stopped breathing in his sleep last night, I’m so sorry.”***

No parent should have to experience the heartbreak of wishing to make memories that can never be. Our compassionate grief counsellors are there to help parents from the moment those dreams shatter.

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* $50 allows Safe Sleep materials to be published and distributed to new parents.
* $120 funds a professional Grief Counselling Session to any parent who has suffered the heartbreaking death of their child.
* $350 allows a grief counsellor 2 home visits with bereaved parents, offering hope and continued support.

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CAN YOU DONATE TODAY AND SUPPORT A BEREAVED FAMILY WITH SUPPORT THIS CHRISTMAS?

Being there at that critical time not only provided instant comfort for Bronlee’s parents, but also Dee-Jaye’s mother. The care and support provided by our counsellor’s extends beyond the parents, as we understand the ripple effect of child death and the number of people affected by one loss.

***“I remember not really wanting to talk…. just sitting on the couch holding onto a pillow I had for Bronlee. But I felt instantly comfortable around our counsellor. Despite not having much to say on that first day after Bronlee’s death, just knowing we had that support for not only myself, but for my family helped. We continued this journey with our counsellor for the next year, just talking about Bronlee and other events going on in our lives as it’s not easy to “return back to normal” after the loss of a child. But having our counsellor share our conversations and moments together helped us get through it all that little bit easier.”****

The Staff at Red Tree Foundation and SIDS and Kids SA would like to wish you a Merry Christmas, safe holiday break and peaceful New Year.

We look forward to your ongoing support in 2023.

Regards

Kat Brown

Community Liaison Manager