Dying cancer mum's last wish

Charlie Nicholson and Ryder reunited after she returned from Australia last week. Photo / Supplied

The family of a new mum with terminal cancer have put a call out for fusion band Fat Freddy's Drop to play at her hospice bedside.

Charlie Nicholson received a grim cancer diagnosis in November, when doctors told the then-31 weeks' pregnant Gisborne woman she had late stage melanoma.

Ms Nicholson and her partner, Shawn Elsmore, wed at a hospital chapel and welcomed their son, Ryder, a few days later.

Ms Nicholson had to leave her newborn son behind while she sought medical treatment in Australia, but she returned to New Zealand last week.

Her sister, Tanya Veide, said the 38-year-old is now in Waipuna Hospice in Tauranga, with her husband, baby and other family at her side.

Family are hoping they can make something special happen in her final days, Ms Veide said.

"She's a massive Fat Freddy's Drop fan and we put it out on Facebook last night asking if they could come and play to her ... even if it was just a singer and guitarist, that would be just the most perfect send off for her and she deserves it."

Ms Veide and other family members planned to attend the band's Dunsborough, Western Australia, concert with Ms Nicholson on Valentine's Day, but that would no longer happen.

Her sister's favourite songs were Roady and Blackbird, and she had loved the band since their earliest days, Ms Veide said.

"She's always had a crush on [vocalist] Dallas [Tamaira]."

Her sister could no longer talk, but they had told her about their bid to get her favourite band bedside.

And the new arrival to the family was also keeping their spirits up.

Ten-week-old Ryder, born nine weeks early following his mum's cancer diagnosis, was doing well, Ms Veide said.