Wren's Gift

Hello,

 

We are Madeline & Matthew McConnell. On the 15th of April 2022, we welcomed our beautiful daughter and little sister Wren into the world. Sadly she could not stay with us for long and passed away peacefully in our arms only eight days later.

 

We were blessed to be surrounded by love and support during her difficult arrival into the world. The outstanding Maternity and Neonatal team did everything possible for our darling Wren to give her every chance of survival from the moment she was born.

 

At 6 hours old, Wren was transferred to the Royal Children's Hospital. Unfortunately, we had only eight days to make a lifetime of memories. The Royal Children's Hospital is world-class in how it deals with bereavement. We were able to create stunning embossed hand and footprints and take our girl for a walk in the pram with her big sister and grandparents ( ventilation tubes and all). There were also many other precious memories, including Heartfelt photography, who captured amazing images from Wren's final moments with us.

 

We are eternally grateful for the care we received and the resources we had access to over the journey of our precious little girl Wren.

 

Because of this, we want to make sure that all families in our region can have access to the same resources we did at the Royal Children's.

South West Health Care is filled with the kindest Midwives, Nurses and Doctors who go above and beyond to support their patients, but they can only use what they have access to.

 

By fundraising, we hope to update the camera on the maternity ward so the midwives can capture all of the beautiful features of babies taken too soon.

To purchase an embossing kit, so their little hands and feet are with their parents forever. To provide books for parents to read to the siblings that never got to grow up with their baby brother or sister. And hopefully much more with the help and ideas of other mothers who carry their babies in their hearts.

 

All money raised will help bereaved families at South West Healthcare Warrnambool.

 

In a time filled with heartbreak, memories are what we cling to, and we hope other parents and families can find some comfort in making their beautiful memories too.

 

"The grief won't last forever, but the love does."