It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the devastating news that our beautiful family friend, Aleshia, tragically passed away on the 8th of September, just 11 days before her first birthday.

On the 19th of September, her family should have been celebrating her first year of life—blowing out her very first birthday candle, watching her grow and making memories that would last a lifetime.

Instead, her mum and dad, Jess and Dylan, and her four siblings, Scarlett, Conor, Lucas and Corey, are having to face every parent’s worst nightmare: saying goodbye to their beautiful little girl and sister far too soon.

Aleshia was so deeply loved. She was a precious daughter, a cherished little sister and a beautiful part of a family who will forever feel her absence. Her life may have been far too short, but the love she brought into the lives of those around her will never be measured by the amount of time she was here.

As close family friends, we have watched this family love, care for and raise their children, and it is heartbreaking to see them now facing something no parent should ever have to endure.

Jess has devoted herself to caring for her children and is a stay-at-home mum, while Dylan has worked hard to provide for their family. Right now, Dylan needs to step away from work to be beside Jess, their children and his family as they try to navigate this unimaginable loss.

The last thing this family should have to think about while grieving their daughter is how they are going to pay the bills or manage financially.

That is why we have created this fundraiser.

We want to give Jess, Dylan and their children some breathing room during this incredibly difficult time. Every donation will help ease the financial pressure and assist with everyday living expenses, bills, funeral and memorial costs, and anything else they may need in the weeks and months ahead.

Our hope is that by coming together as a community, we can give this family one less thing to worry about while they focus on each other, their children and remembering their beautiful Aleshia.

If you can donate, no matter how small, it will make a difference.

If you aren’t in a position to donate, sharing this fundraiser, leaving a message of love or simply keeping this family in your thoughts means just as much.

There are no words that can make this pain go away. We can’t bring Aleshia back or give her family the future they had imagined with her.

But we can make sure they don’t have to face the road ahead feeling alone.

We can surround them with love.

We can support them when they need it most.

And we can help carry some of the weight while they grieve their precious little girl.

Aleshia, you should have had a lifetime.

You were here for far too short a time, but you were loved every second of it.

You will forever be Jess and Dylan’s beautiful daughter, Scarlett, Conor, Lucas and Corey’s precious little sister, and a deeply loved part of your family.

Happy heavenly first birthday, beautiful Aleshia.

Forever loved. Forever