Yahoo Lifestyle 'My heart's ripped in a million pieces': Mother of newborn baby who died in sling shares emotional message
The mother of a newborn who died while being carried in a baby sling has thanked the NSW community who have become “like family” for rallying around the couple during such a difficult time.
Friends at the North Entrance Surf Club have set up a GoFundMe page to support the family following the tragic and sudden death of baby Harvey.
Tattika Dunn, 36, had reportedly attended a health care centre in Killarney Vale, on the Central Coast, for a post-natal appointment on April 8 when she discovered the three-week-old boy was unresponsive.
NSW Police said CPR was performed on the infant at the scene but he could not be saved.
Harvey’s father Bill McGlinn had become a volunteer lifesaver since getting his bronze medallion late last year, while his fiancée Ms Dunn was acknowledged for her help in the canteen, with the pair offering “countless hours” to help the club.
The club wanted to give back to the family, and the campaign has already raised more than $3,000 to help the family pay bills and make ends meet as they deal with their heartbreak.
“Just wanted to do a shout out, a massive thank you to a massive group of people who came together and helped me when I couldn’t help myself,” Ms Dunn reportedly posted on Facebook.
“I cannot go into detail as it’s still very raw and my heart feels like it’s been ripped in a million pieces but on the 8th of last month whilst going for a routine check up with my 3 week old precious baby boy Harvey passed, it happened for ‘no known reason’ nothing can be explained, a very much loved family member was taken from this world, he had a mum a dad and 4 year old twin brothers who loved him more then anything!” the Daily Telegraph reported the mum saying on social media.
“When one of our worst nightmares came to play a community stood up and helped do things I just couldn’t, these people are now like family,” she reportedly wrote.
According to the friends at the surf club, bringing the little boy into the world was one of the happiest experience of the couple’s life, but it turned to tragedy weeks later.
“They were faced with the unthinkable and had to say a sudden final goodbye to baby Harvey,” the fundraising page reads.
“Harvey was a very much loved little man who’s life was suddenly taken with unknown cause. His little heart just stopped beating. He was a beautiful baby son and brother, who will be forever in all their hearts.
“Your donation will help give them the financial help and support they need to have time to process, grieve, and attempt to heal after experiencing the worst event that could ever happen to a parent.”
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