Kelly is a super strong mum to Quinn. After Quinn was born with half a heart and had her first emergency open-heart surgery at just six weeks old, the family also had to urgently move house. Kelly found herself in an unfamiliar neighbourhood without her supportive group of friends nearby, and all her family was still back in Ireland. And with a baby that needed her every second of every day.
Read or watch Kelly's full story
That’s where Plunket stepped in. Kelly’s Plunket nurse reassured her in their first home visit that Quinn was doing really well, and in fact what had to be of equal focus was Kelly: she needed the same level of love and care herself. From the very next day onwards, a group of beautiful women organised by Plunket swooped in, took Quinn for walks so that Kelly could have a warm shower and a hot cuppa, or sat with Kelly for company and an empathetic ear. They wrapped around her with genuine connection and a sense of community – something Kelly didn’t realise she had so greatly needed.
Please donate for Christmas. Parents with a new pēpi need support more than ever at this time of the year as they juggle the challenge of managing life with a baby and everything else that needs to be done at Christmas.
Whether a one-off gift, or signing up to start monthly giving, your generosity will wrap care, connection and community around a whānau this holiday season.