General News
16 February, 2025
Local family gives gift of time to mourning parents
It's a trauma no parents should ever have to live through, but for those who do, a family in Horsham wants to give the gift of time.
It's a trauma no parents should ever have to live through, but for those who do, a family in Horsham wants to give the gift of time.
Brooks Reggie Miller was born sleeping to parents Robbie and Sarah on October 19 last year.
"My wife Sarah was just under 35 weeks (pregnant) and I came home from work and she wasn't feeling well," Mr Miller said.
"Mother's instinct, she ended up going into the hospital to have a check-up, and that night, at about midnight, they couldn't find a heartbeat."
The labour process was started the following morning and Mrs Miller gave birth to the couple's third child, Brooks, "sleeping".
He was born at Wimmera Base Hospital where a Bears of Hope Cuddle Cot was available for use.
A Cuddle Cot is a cooling system that has been designed to fit within a basket and lies beneath a baby who has died.
It allows families the choice to spend more time with their baby – to say hello, change their nappy, dress their baby, take them for a walk – keeping them close as they create memories they will cherish forever.
"The cot gave us precious and valuable time with our boy while keeping him comfortable," Mr Miller said.
"It gave us the opportunity to stay with him as long as we wished.
"It also gave our family and friends the opportunity to say their goodbyes while holding him."
Mr and Mrs Miller, together with Brooks' siblings in Gerry and Henry, spent as much time as they could with him, with lots of cuddles shared and memories made.
"The nurses said we could spend as much time with Brooks as we liked but we didn't want to drag the enevitable out, but we did get to spend two and a half days with him until we were ready to leave and face the outside world," Mr Miller said.
Afterwards, Mr and Mrs Miller reflected on the tragedy and considered ways they could assist parents faced with the same situation.
"We decided on the Cuddle Cot because of the precious and valuable time it gave us," Mr Miller said.
The couple have organised for Mr Miller to do a 24-hour run on Friday February 28 to fundraise for another cot to be purchased for a hospital that doesn't yet have one.
"We wish to give another family the opportunity to spend as much time with their baby if this tragically happens to them," Mr Miller said.
While Mr Miller is asking for pledges of an amount for every kilometre he runs in the 24 hours, donations have flooded in beforehand, already amounting to nearly enough to pay for two of the special cots.
Mr Miller will be running at Laharum Football Netball Club at Cameron Oval from 4pm on Friday February 28 until 4pm on Saturday March 1.
The bar will be open, with food for sale.
Donations can be made by visiting https://makeadifference.gofundraise.com.au/page/Robbie-45579777 or scanning the QR code with your mobile or tablet.
