Help Carla, Chloe & Liam

Aaron Andrews fought his heart problems exactly the way he lived his life: quietly, understated and focused. Above all, he was focused on building a bright future for the children he adored as much as he loved his beautiful wife, Carla.

Sadly, Aaron won’t be there to see four-year-old Chloe and little Liam, two, grow into the world he explored so enthusiastically before he died suddenly in hospital in Brisbane on January 8. He was 37.

A motorbike nut, Aaron favoured the old-school Triumph over the glitzy American and Japanese alternates. It was a bit of a pilgrimage when he upped sticks to the UK a decade ago for work: More to the point it gave him a chance to get up close to the home of the Bonneville, his lifetime joy.

His life really was complete by the time he came back in 2008 as he’d not only found Carla on his travels – but he’d clocked up a decade on the bike that now accompanies him to his final resting place near his birthplace in Whanganui.

Aaron grew up in Whanganui where family and friends are ready to wrap loving arms around Carla and the kids. The family have been living in Brisbane for a few years but home is New Zealand and deep down always will be for the kids who’ll grow up with proud memories of a courageous kiwi Daddy.

Just 29 when he first underwent major heart surgery, Aaron was determined to live a normal life – despite having an artificial valve implanted in his heart. Last winter the mechanical unit became obstructed and Aaron suffered a stroke – but he battled on, focused on getting back into action.

Two days before New Year was set as the target to replace the artificial implant with a human valve, but complications set in as the operation neared. He suffered a devastating brain haemorrhage, and never recovered.

Carla is determined to keep Aaron’s memory fresh and vivid for her two little ones. But it’s going to be a struggle. Already the obstacles are starting to mount and she faces daunting challenges.

Please help Carla, Chloe and Liam as they rebuild their lives together without the rock who showed them that calm under extreme pressure is just something that comes naturally to a staunch kiwi.