Stillbirth Support - Help Local Bereaved Families

Hi, my name is Tess and on 25th January 2024 our son Noah was stillborn at 32 weeks gestation.

Sadly a fate that many more local families will face in the future.

In Australia 2500 babies are stillborn every year, that's 6 babies a day. A statistic that is higher than the national daily road toll. A further 2 babies die a day within their first 28 days of life. The loss of a longed for and loved child is a gut wrenching devastation and proper bereavement care in those initial days, and as the months roll by, is crucial. Sadly majority of items required to support our families are not government funded and hospitals rely on charities or donations in this regard.

One of the most crucial items we can provide for these families is a Cuddle Cot, which start at $6,500. A cuddle cot is a portable cot with a cooling system underneath it set at a very low temperature, which helps to preserve a babies appearance and slow down the deterioration process. Without a cooling system a stillborn baby will start to deteriorate within hours from being born, cutting down the crucial time a family has to say goodbye to their child.

We were lucky enough to use a Cuddle Cot and got to spend a day and a half with Noah once he was born. We read him books, cuddled him and took photos. You even have the chance to take your baby for a walk or offer loved ones the chance to say goodbye as well. All these moments are so important to a family who has just lost a child and really make for such a vital role in their healing journey.

We are holding a fundraiser at Twin Towns Services Club on the 26th October 2024 to raise funds to provide our local hospitals with new cuddle cots and further items needed to support families in this time, such as; casting vouchers, cremation boxes/urns, stillbirth journals, post partum care, books on grief and sibling loss and anything else required.

If you are unable to attend our fundraiser we kindly ask that you consider donating funds to this worthwhile cause. You could even donate a prize, voucher or silent auction item for the night!

If you got this far.. thank you for being here.

If you donated.. thank you from the bottom of my heart.

We're turning our heartbreak into a legacy of love in the name of our son, Noah Harlock.