Fundraiser to support Alex Haselden-Lister's family

$21,790 donated
Given by 395 generous donors in over a year

Please support Alex's family after his sudden and tragic passing.

Auckland

At the far too early age of 15 and whilst on a day out with his friends, Alex had a massive cardiac arrest. Doctors still don't really understand the reason and are continuing to investigate. Alex was left in a coma with suspected brain damage due to a lack of oxygen when it happened.

Tragically, after a week of testing and hoping, doctors concluded that the damage was catastrophic with no chance of recovery. Life support was withdrawn and Alex peacefully passed away on 31st October, surrounded by the love of his mum, sister and dad; Jo, Maddie and Nick. His grandparents and wider family are in the UK.

Alex was much loved by his family and friends and will be sorely missed for many years to come.

This fundraiser is intended to help the family with funeral costs as well as helping with the travel and quarantine costs of his family from the UK which will be a significant burden at this time.

Alex's mum, Joanne Haselden, is a respected member of the Orewa College community, as a former teacher and a parent, and has spent the last two years recovering from cancer. She has courageously defeated that and is well on the road to recovery but it has left her in a fragile position emotionally and financially to deal with this new challenge.

Thank you so much for supporting this worthy cause.

Doug Muller's involvement (page creator)

I have been a good friend of Jo's since our kids started being looked after by the same lovely day care lady, the amazing Lynne.

Use of funds

Funeral costs.

Travel and quarantine costs of UK family.

Supporting Jo and Maddie for the near term.

Read more

Latest update

Update image

One Year On - A Word from Jo  1 November 2021

Posted by: Joanne Haselden

Late last night, on the anniversary of Alex’s death, I wrote an update for Alex’s page. I thought I had posted it, but it wasn’t there this morning. Maybe Alex knew that I had had a glass of wine whilst writing it, so he deleted it for me. That’s the sort of thing he would do.

It took me a very long time before I could open his page and read through your comments. The shock of losing my boy was too great. Every time anyone was kind to me, I crumpled. Time has passed and I am getting a little stronger.

I have now read through every one of your comments many times and have seen your donations. I have been lost for words at the kindness of family and friends, and of people whom I have never met but have shown such compassion and thoughtfulness. I am particularly in awe of my family and close friends, who instead of stepping back when I was hit by a second major challenge, stepped right up. I feel blessed to have them by my side.

Your donations allowed us to give Alex a very beautiful send off - a memorable day filled with love. Your donations allowed my parents to come out to New Zealand and spend a long time here with me and my daughter, Maddie, getting us through a period of intense grief. Maddie was only a year younger than Alex when he died and has suffered immeasurably from losing her brother. As a result, her mental health has deteriorated. So, your donations have also gone towards providing medical and other support for her in her recovery. The hope is that next year, she may be able to participate in school again. At the moment, we are just working on her getting through each day.

So once again, thank you for your kindness in helping us get this far and for your kind words, as they mean so much.

Yesterday, I spent the day going through my Alex treasure boxes. I also spent time with his two closest friends. We looked at photographs and watched videos of Alex and his friends doing silly things in the weeks before he died. It was a day full of pain but also beauty.

I miss hugging my big-footed, loud-laughing boy. I miss his wisdom and wit. I miss how he made sure I knew how he appreciated every single thing I did for him. But, at the same time I know he is still here with me, in my heart. It’s not the same, but I will treasure whatever little bit of him I have.

With much love and appreciation,

Jo

Share this update

Read 3 more updates

Read more

Latest donations

Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 12 Nov 2021
$10
Doug Muller

Thank you so much for your donation; I assure you Jo & Maddie are very appreciative of all the love and support coming their way.

Doug Muller
Private Donor
Private Donor on 01 Nov 2021
$200
Christine
Christine on 06 Mar 2021
I cannot begin to imagine your heartbreak. Please accept this small donation. Go gently.
$20
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 23 Dec 2020
So sorry for your terrible loss. May Alex live on in your hearts forever.
Private
Joyce
Joyce on 27 Nov 2020
With Sympathy. x
$50

Who's involved?

Doug Muller's avatar
Created by Doug Muller
Joanne Haselden's avatar
Paying to a verified bank account of Joanne Haselden
Page Moderated
The page has been checked by our team to make sure it complies with our terms and conditions.

Page Q&A

One question has been asked already. Check it out and ask yours here.

Any concerns?

Report this page
This campaign started on 2 Nov 2020 and ended on 1 Feb 2022.