Beau's parents channel grief into help

LEGACY: Masterton parents Courtney Percy and Nick Olson, with daughter Lily, 2, and stillborn baby son Beau, are starting a trust to help parents grieving their babies.

Beau Patrick Olson's life was short -- but, thanks to his loving family and a big-hearted Wairarapa community, his legacy lives on.

Beau, who was stillborn at 36 weeks, touched hearts in Wairarapa and beyond when his parents, Courtney Percy and Nick Olson, created a Givealittle page to fundraise for a Cuddle Cot for Wairarapa Hospital.

The page generated the $5000 needed for the Cuddle Cot -- a cooling system to preserve stillborn babies, so families can take them home -- within less than a week.

Courtney and Nick are continuing their fundraising efforts -- creating a charitable trust to assist parents grieving their 'angel babies'.

Courtney said she and Nick received "wonderful family support" after losing Beau -- but the trust will help those parents who aren't so lucky.

"When you're grieving, the last thing you want to worry about is money," Courtney said.

"If we can help another family going through the same, then every little bit helps."

Courtney and Nick were devastated by the loss of their precious second child, born 'sleeping' on January 30.

"It was all a blur," Courtney said.

"You never expect it -- you get to 12 weeks, and you think you're going to be fine."

Inspired by a discussion on an infant loss support group on Facebook, Courtney decided to raise money for the Cuddle Cot.

After Beau was born, midwives provided ice packs, so his parents could take him home and spend time with him.

"Beau not coming home was never an option for us," Courtney said.

"We wanted the same for other families -- to have baby at home, and make those memories.

"Time doesn't stop, and every moment is precious."

Courtney set up the Givealittle page on a Thursday night -- and, by the following Wednesday the target of $5000 had been reached.

"It was crazy -- every time I hit refresh, there was a new donor.

"People we didn't even know were supporting us.

"One woman even donated who was in hospital having her baby at the same time as me."

Courtney and Nick have now sourced a Cuddle Cot from Australia, and will use remaining funds to buy the bassinet and linen.

Further funds raised for the trust will go towards the upkeep of the cot, and any expenses required by a baby's parents -- such as hand and foot castings, photography and counselling.

"I got a counsellor through Whaiora -- but some people don't have the money. It's not cheap".

The couple are now planning a major fundraising event for the trust -- which will include the auction of donated vouchers from Hebe, The Villa, The Sanctuary and The Interislander, two paintings from Masterton artist Mandy Emerson, and rugby jerseys signed by the Wairarapa Bush.

"Our friends are telling us to go for 10 grand from the auction," Courtney said.

"But we'll be happy with anything."