Help Harriet Heal

Dearest Family, Friends, and our lovely little Community,

I’m reaching out to you today with a heavy heart, but also with hope and determination. Our dear little friend Harriet Perea is facing a battle that no child should ever have to endure. At just 13 years old, Harriet is fighting with all her might against an illness that threatens to steal her joy, her future, and her very essence.

Out of respect for Harriet's wishes, I won't delve into the full details of her illness. Harriet has bravely chosen to keep certain aspects of her struggle private, and we honour and respect her decision. What matters most is that she knows she is loved, supported, and cherished by us all.

Harriet is a beautiful, kind soul who lights up the lives of those around her. However, Harriet's journey has already been a long one. She was admitted to Canberra Hospital on 9 November, 2023. After a seven week stay she was able to return home for five weeks, before being readmitted to The Canberra Hospital for a further four weeks.

Harriet has now been transferred to Westmead Children’s Hospital where she has been for the past few weeks. She will remain at Westmead for the next few weeks, but just this week she was told she has the opportunity to be a part of a program offered at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick that will allow her to receive the specialised care she needs to give her the best chance of recovery. The program runs for ten weeks and will require Harriet and Peta to reside in Sydney for at least another ten weeks.

Not only has this journey been a challenge for Hariett so far, but for her family also. Her dedicated parents Peta and Tom and her siblings, Jonah, Charlie and Esther, have also been carrying this burden and feel her absence.

Peta has remained by her side in hospital this entire time and as a result, Peta has had to resign from work. The family operates a small business in Cooma, where Tom now tirelessly shoulders the workload, doing everything he can to keep things running smoothly and taking care of the other three children. Unfortunately, this commitment means he's unable to make frequent trips to Sydney to be with Harriet and Peta, during her treatment.

But amidst the chaos, there shines a glimmer of hope—a hope that with the right support and resources, Harriet can emerge victorious. The ten-week program at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick is her best shot at beating her illness. What it means however, is that there will now be additional medical and specialist costs, as well as significant accommodation costs. With her family already struggling to make ends meet on the one income, and no other assistance available, this creates yet another stress and struggle for Peta and Tom.

So today, I am reaching out to you, I ask for your help in supporting Harriet and her family through this challenging time. This journey is expected to be a long one, but this treatment will go a long way to setting her on the road to recovery.

Your donation, no matter the amount, will make a tangible difference in their lives. It will ease the financial strain of medical bills, accommodation, and the loss of income.

Could you possibly provide accommodation or have a connection nearby the Children's Hospital in Randwick? Please feel free to message me if you do. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

So, now is the time for action. Now is the time to show Harriet and her family that they are not alone. Together, we can rally around them, providing the love, support, and resources they need to navigate this difficult journey.

Please, join me in standing with Harriet. Your generosity will be a beacon of hope.

Thank you for your kindness, your compassion, and your unwavering support.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Kirsty xoxo