This one’s for Andy x

In March 2006, I went to school like any other day. I was in year 9 and just beginning my high school journey. First period was PE and I remember playing some type of kickball, when a note came from the front desk asking me to get changed and come to the principal’s office. I got changed and walked over (terrified, I might add) and waited in the seat the office lady assigned me. As I waited, I could see a police car pull up outside the office, and to my surprise my mum stepped out. There was something different about her. When she entered, she took my hand, her grip tight and reassuring, though her words were simple “It’s going to be okay.” But my gut told me it wasn’t. I got in the car and my brother was already in there. Silence suffocated the car, I truly had no idea that my mum had just witnessed her husband’s death.

As the three of us sat in silence in the backseat, not a single word was spoken. I didn’t even know where we were going until we slowly pulled into dad’s work. That’s when I knew something was terribly wrong. Not one person spoke as Cameron and I got out of the car. All eyes were on us, and as we walked into the kitchen, my mother turned around and uttered the words that changed our lives forever.

It’s been nearly 20 years since that moment, and yet it still impacts our lives every single day. The impact of grief and not having a father was so significant, and potentially, it may have been preventable. He was only 46.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in New Zealand and shockingly, very 90 minutes, a person dies from it. I guarantee you either know someone living with it or who has sadly passed from it.

This May, I’ve set myself a goal to run the equivalent of two marathons (84KMs). A HUGE challenge for this postpartum mumma. I’ve set myself a goal to raise $100 to go towards further research and initiatives. I would be truly grateful for any support.

This one’s for Andy x