By LIA SPENCER
ON 21 November last year, Kirstin Rechter and Jacob Edmonds experienced the unthinkable.
Kirstin, 22 weeks pregnant, gave birth to her stillborn baby, Aurora Joy Aroha Edmonds.
The devastating experience prompted Kirstin’s mother, Judy Street, to put her best foot forward in an effort to help others who suffered the same tragic loss.
Ms Street, a Pakenham resident, now takes part in a SunCorp Bank Initiative, runPositive, to raise awareness for Pregnancy Loss Australia, formerly known as Teddy Love Club, and raise funds for the TLC Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Program.
The program is the original bear giving program in Australia established on 26 October 2002, donating teddy bears and complete care packages to families who suffer the loss of their babies in the hope the bear may help to ease the pain of leaving the hospital with such empty arms. Ms Street has raised more than $1000 under Aurora’s name so far.
“It is very hard when parents have to leave the hospital with empty arms,” Ms Street said.
“The care bear package allows them to take something home. Kirsten found some small comfort in the package she received when she left the hospital.”
Ms Street said she had always enjoyed running, so thought it was important to use her active lifestyle for an important cause.
She said running had also helped her to deal with the heart-breaking loss of her grand-daughter.
“It definitely gets you in a different headspace – it helps you to be more positive and helps clear your thoughts,” she said.
The Suncorp Bank runPositive program supports runners across Australia, from professionals to weekend joggers. To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/SuncorpBankRunPositive.
To learn more about the TLC Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Program, visit www.teddyloveclub.org.au. To donate to Ms Street’s cause, visit https://plabeardrive.gofundraise.com.au/donations/my-donations.
