Nicole & Henry's tragedy.. help

Where do I start.. This isn't my story but its the story i would like to share on behalf of an amazing and strong friend, widow and mother....

My name is Autumn and I have had the pleasure of working with an amazing woman called Nicole, we bonded and chuckled.. one day i opened up about my own personal struggle of infertility and in time.. Nicole came to share her story with me, she with her partner Pat longed for a baby.. Her body couldn't keep hold of them, then after a journey of heartache and loss she came to me and said Autumn. This is the one.. I'm pregnant, this is the one.

I thought she was nuts...

Our friendship continued to grow, when she was one of the first people to hear we also got our miracle.. so our conversations were full of hope and excitement and joy, of our impending arrivals... god those were some of the best moments, moments we had only dreamed possible.

8 days ago she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy Henry Patrick Herbert at 4.02pm 24th June 2016. In terms of births go it was what you could have hoped for and more. Sadly a few hours after the birth Nicole received the most horrific news of her life.. her partner, Henry's father had been found after close to 4 weeks missing, he had very sadly taken his own life.

To capture this part of the story for you.. ill explain Nicole was a day off 34 weeks pregnant, Pat had been struggling with the traditions and aspirations of a father to be, wanting to provide for his family.. traditions of the woman stays home and he provides.

The pressure was mounting for him as the last 12 months he had struggled to find work in a pay grade he was qualified in, he had met Nicole in the mines 4 years earlier to give you and idea of the income he was use to.

He was depressed, he was battling a disease of the mind and until you have been trapped in your own mind.. don't pass judgement. Depression and mental illness is a horrid disease that the sufferer cant see the light at the end of the tunnel.

On this Monday 30th May he had woken up in Nicole's words in a mood and nothing could pull him from he left the house upset and angry.. and had said the words you are all better off without me..

This was the last time Nicole saw him alive.. for 4 whole weeks he was classed as missing, during that time i watched my friend go through every emotion but most of all hope... and the hope he was alive and ready to meet their son.

Sadly that was not to be the case. Pat had on that Monday 30th May 2016 taken his own life, the only solution he could see to the pain he was suffering internally...

May you RIP Pat and know Nicole and Henry are being taken care of, and we hope your at peace.

Sadly with this situation we have a widow and new born, Nicole has commenced maternity leave which is a reduced rate and does not have the capacity to fund a funeral. I don't think anyone of us have also considered the long term monetary factors of raising Henry as a widow.. but for now i am asking for people to help support Nicole in raising enough funds to farewell Pat and anything left over go towards that little perfect miracle Henry <3

This would remove one of many stresses Nicole will have to deal with moving forward, any donation big or small would go towards a truly loving and deserving family.

She herself doesnt want to ask for help so as her friend i felt this was the very least i could do and selfishly helps me to help her... <3