Rhiannon Ingle
A mum has died just a matter of days after giving birth to her second child.
Claire Howlett, 33, and her husband Glen, who hail from Perth in Australia, welcomed their second child Gibson late last month (22 March) joining their first-born, two-year-old daughter Laine.
Glen's stepfather, Robert Crain, has since shared that she had 'collapsed' just three days after welcoming little Gibson and, about an hour later, she had passed away.
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Robert has since set up a GoFundMe titled 'Glen Howlett Needs Help More Than Ever' to help with Glen's expenses while he comes to terms with his loss, and until he can return to work.
In the description of the fundraiser, the grieving stepfather opened up about the moment he was delivered the tragic news.
He recalled how he and his partner, Vicki, were in a park having lunch when she received a phone call from Glen, telling him that Claire had collapsed in the kitchen.
Robert carried on: "About an hour later, Vicki was informed by Glen, that Claire had passed away, she was 33, mother to an almost 2-and-a-half-year-old girl, and a 3-day-old boy.
"Everyone is shattered. I cannot even imagine what Glen is going through."
He explained that Glen and Claire, who was a 'much loved' school teacher as well as an entrepreneur operating House of Primrose, started their life together a dozen or so years ago, after meeting at work.
The couple went on to build a home in Two Rocks, taking on a mortgage and 'everything that came with it' with Robert adding: "They never asked anyone for help, both working hard for what they had.
"Now, Glen is in the unenviable position of raising two very young children by himself, and mourning the loss of his wife, and mother of their two beautiful children."
Robert noted that Glen is now facing 'mounting bills', 'funeral costs' and 'mortgage payments' and is 'really going to struggle financially'.
"He'll need a hand while he attempts to recover from his loss, and until he is able to get back to work," Robert added. "This is a proud man. He won't accept anything unless he earns it, but right now, he needs all the help he can get."
Robert explained that all of the money raised (besides fees and charges) will be to cover Glen's expenses with any remaining funds set to go to his two children, Laine and Gibson, to help them as they get older.
"Or Glen may choose to donate remaining funds (if any) to a charity that both he and Claire would believe needs it more," Robert added. "I, along with Glen and Claire's family and friends, would appreciate any help you may have to offer."
It has currently raised $14,300 AUD of its $15,000 goal.
You can donate to the GoFundMe here.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.