The power of community is well and truly alive this week, but it has taken a devastating tragedy to drive that message home.
Kind members of the public have given generously to a fund, set up to help a grieving husband and new father after the untimely loss of his partner.
Nathan Johnson went through a rollercoaster of emotions on Tuesday, after his wife Meg gave birth to their daughter, Eilee Kate.
The couple got to spend a blissful six hours with their newborn, before Meg began to experience birth complications. Two hours later, the new mother had passed away.
Doctors are still unaware of exactly what caused Meg’s tragic death.
Nathan is a guitarist in musician Josh Wilson’s band, and Josh decided to set up a fundraising page to help out his friend in his hour of need.
On the GoFundMe page, Josh recounted the events of the bittersweet day for new father Nathan.
“At about 2:40pm, Meg gave birth to the beautiful miracle who is Eilee Kate. The delivery was beautiful and smooth,” he wrote.
“Nathan and Megan got to be together with Eilee for about six hours. Megan held, fed and burped little Eilee. Nathan says they couldn’t sleep because they were too excited. They talked all night and morning.”
It was at ‘about 9 or 10’ that Meg began experiencing problems. Josh added: “By 11am she was home.”
With Nathan being described as ‘devastated’, Josh wanted to do everything within his power to help. And so, he set up the GoFundMe page (link here) to support Nathan and his new daughter through this testing time.
Setting a fundraising target of $400K, Josh wrote: “How can you help? You can give time, meals and money. Let’s give so much more than we think we can. Believe me, Nate needs it more than us right now.
“Let’s raise enough money for Nathan to get off the road for at least six months. Let’s cover his bills and meals so he doesn’t have to think about any of that. Let’s sleep over at this house and feed sweet Eilee so Nate can rest.”
The reaction to Josh’s post has been overwhelming, with generous members of the public so far donating a staggering $330,178.
“Friends, I don’t know what to say. This is way beyond me now. Thank you,” gushed Josh, in response.
Our hearts are going out to Nathan and his family right now.
