Helping mums through turmoil

Harrison's Little Wings
Compassionate. Passionate. Available.

Melanie McKenzie is devoted to supporting mothers who have been given a grim diagnosis during pregnancy.

She founded Harrison's Little Wings in 2010 following the birth of her fourth child, Harrison, who lived for only 28 hours due to an incurable condition.

As Harrison had been diagnosed at his 20-week scan, Melanie and her family faced months of emotional turmoil before this birth.

"Harrison's Little Wings is designed to hold the hand of these families, providing them with compassion, understanding, guidance and friendship," says Melanie.

"Only a Mother who has had a poor or fatal diagnosis in pregnancy, or the uncertainty of not knowing if her baby is going to survive, truly understands the mental and emotional hardship women and their families experience."

Melanie also successfully advocated for the Gold Coast University Hospital to improve its model of care.

The charity offers several levels of support, including free information packs, peer support and practical support with the extra costs including housecleaning, counselling and hospital parking.

"I have given my life to support mums," says Melanie.

"I travel to the Gold Coast University Hospital regularly to provide peer support, and I also regularly have coffee meetups with the local Gold Coast mums."

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. Harrison's Little Wings will use its grant to launch a project aimed at providing entertainment packs to mums in hospital. It will also use the funds to cover ongoing costs.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here