Celebrating the life of Matthew Bernard

Hi everyone,

I'm Bianca and this fundraiser is help towards the funeral costs for my father Matthew Bernard, who I lost this past week. He was the best dad and grandad, and I'm so grateful for the time we had together despite it being cut short. Being an only child in times like this make things a little harder, especially because it has been just me and my dad together since my mum passed away in 2013. It will be incredibly difficult navigating the world without both of them but I know God will give me the strength and courage to do so.

Here is something I wrote for dad that I wanted to share:

Daddy, you’re so much more than just my dad. You’ve been everything to me, at every point in my life, for all of my life! The bond we’ve shared over the years is nothing short of amazing, something I’ll cherish forever, but these last few months have been even more precious. For a long while now it’s been just me and you, two peas in a pod, and I wouldn’t change that for anything. Spending so much time with you has been both bitter and sweet at the very same time.

Watching you in pain was the hardest thing ever, but you never gave up, you fought until the very end, with every single ounce of strength, courage, and dignity that you had. I’m so proud to call you mine. Thank you for 34 years of unconditional love, laughter, lessons, and the best memories from start to finish.

Losing you is so hard, it’s so lonely, but I know you’ll be right here with me for all of eternity, because I am your one and only, and I couldn’t be prouder to say that.

You raised a soldier daddy, & I promise to be exactly who I am, just as you’ve always told me to be. I’m going to lay you to rest in exactly the way you deserve, honourably, and dignified.

I love you so so much, and I miss you with all of my heart.

‘To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die’ ~ and you will live in mine forever, and even after that!

As you can imagine, funerals are a costly event for everyone and I find myself needing to reach out to the community for help in order to send my dad off in the manner he deserve. Any donation would be much appreciated and go a long way towards helping fulfil the target amount

Thanks so much in advance!

Bianca xx