As a single parent navigating homelessness—due to no fault of my own.

Two days ago, My children and I received the soul wrenching news no parent is prepared to hear. My first born My first Love, Carlos Manuwhiri Tanirau Tawhi Richards aged 34 passed away suddenly . Ask any of my children the love for my firstborn matched none other . He was my heart . He grew from a caring, loving kind-hearted boy into a young man who built connections and relationships centered on Love and care, family first and community, always ready to lend a helping hand wherever he went ,even his displays of random acts of kindness towards the elderly in his neighbourhood were recognised! His smile and energy lit up the darkest room, his hugs wrapped you in warmth and love, and his giving spirit touched so many lives that his memory will never be forgotten, so many hearts are heavy. My 14yr old grand daughter daughter was the absolute center of his world, Myself and my teenage children ( Carlos baby siblings) desperately need to be by my Sons side to navigate this sudden loss before we lay him to sleep in death.

I held him first and will be the last to hold him before he is laid at his final resting place in 4 days on Taupiri Mountain, Ngaruawahia, Waikato New Zealand.

In this moment of desperation, and having previously experienced homelessness for the past Year due to escaping domestic violence. I humbly ask for your compassion to help us travel from Australia to New Zealand as soon as possible for his funeral. It has already been 2 days since he passed! We ask for your kind support to help us with costs to travel to and from NZ from Australia and to also pay for other funeral related expenses and to enable myself and children to attend my Son's funeral. If you've ever faced the soul-crushing grief of losing a child, or stood on the edge needing urgent support to be able to be beside a loved one in death, you know this pain all too well—the way it makes you feel empty and every breath a battle. I'm not seeking charity, but a gentle hand to lift us up in our darkest hour; even the smallest gesture, 50 cents or a dollar, adds together into hope.

From the depths of a mother's broken heart, thank you for any kindness you can share. Your understanding means everything.

P.s please check on your loved ones and mates regularly.

Please note his funeral is set for Wednesday the 3/4/26 at Ngaruawahia ,Waikato New Zealand