Projects

Kiera’s Contribution aims to donate to projects and causes that will provide insights and research in newborn infection, and specifically Group B Strep, support bereaved parents and also give back to the community where Kiera would have enjoyed growing up. Through the fund, we want to ensure that Kiera’s Contribution is a lasting legacy for many years to come.

The Secret Garden

Kiera was born at The Mater Hospital in Sydney, Australia. In the days following her death, we spent some time with her outside in this ‘secret garden’. When we raised enough money, we knew we wanted to contribute to the garden and make it an official place for quiet reflection and grieving. On 15 October 2020, International Infant Loss Awareness Day, we opened the garden with a small remembrance ceremony among other bereaved parents.

Research

The autopsy results confirmed that Kiera died of Group B Strep prior to birth. We were shocked and devastated as we learned that although I had tested negative to GBS at 36 weeks, the infection is transient. We met an Obstetrician Researcher and working with The North Foundation, have chosen a research study which looks into the process of screening for bacteria/ infection in pregnancy, with a specific focus on Group B Strep. The goal is to use the findings as leverage for a large multi-centre clinical study.

Charities

Red Nose provides research and education and supports families affected by the death of a baby or child. The grief counselling session that we continue to receive from Jo at Red Nose has been priceless. We have donated to Red Nose and will hope to continue to work with Red Nose to help save more little lives. Red Nose has also helped in telling Kiera’s story – see Media section for more information.

Sands offers miscarriage, stillborn and newborn death support. Sands offered various online support groups that covered a range of topics from grieving as a couple, newborn death and also a journalling class that we attended and got great value from. We have donated a portion of our funds to Sands and hope to donate more in the future.

When we found out we were not going to be taking Kiera home, we met our new Aussie mum, Deb de Wilde and she has not left our side since. Not only did she get us through those first few days and weeks, but through her work with the Stillbirth Foundation, she runs a free monthly support group for bereaved parents, and has done so for over 30 years. We donated to the Stillbirth Foundation and continue to work with the foundation through various research studies and sharing our story.

The day after Kiera died, we had an expected visitor at the hospital. A beautiful photographer, Sarah, from Heartfelt, was here to take photos of us and of Kiera. Though we felt it strange at the time, the photos we have now are priceless and we cannot be more grateful to this volunteer organisation. Through our funds, we donated to Heartfelt which will will give 40 photos sessions with future families or three full camera kits. We continue to have a relationship with Sarah, who is now our photographer for life.