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Tessa Frances Parker

$71,925 donated
Given by 239 generous donors in over a year

Help Tessa thrive despite her likely Cerebral Palsy diagnosis by contributing to her care and for the best quality of life.

Christchurch, Canterbury

Tessa Frances Parker was born on 3rd August 2024 and is still in NICU. In her short life, she’s already shown incredible strength & resilience. She recently had an MRI scan, and doctors' have indicated it is almost certain she will have Cerebral Palsy. Tessa will face significant challenges, requiring extensive support & specialised care throughout her life.

It takes a village to raise a child, but it takes a city to raise one with unique differences like Tessa.

We are asking for your help in building that city around her.

Her MRI scan shows significant damage to the part of the brain that controls movement. This means Tessa may never be able to walk, talk, move her arms, or eat independently.

For those who know Tessa’s parents, you’ll know how much of their identity relates to movement. They’ve competed in some of NZ’s toughest adventure races like Coast to Coast & Godzone, but this next adventure with Tessa will likely be the hardest of them all.

This diagnosis will send them on a different journey than they had imagined, but they’re determined Tessa will enjoy movement and the outdoors in her own way.

While Tessa’s future needs are still uncertain, all donations will help contribute towards the care necessary to give her the best quality of life she deserves.

Nathaniel Parker's involvement (page creator)

Tessa is my brave and beautiful niece. As family & friends, we are dedicated to helping her navigate the challenges of her likely Cerebral Palsy diagnosis and ensuring she has the best possible care and support.

Use of funds

This fund is to support Tessa’s ongoing care, with all donations going towards her medical treatments, specialist appointments, and the specialised equipment she may need as she grows.

Funds to be paid to Tessa's father Luke.

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Latest update

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Tessa turns ONE!  3 August 2025

Posted by: Luke Parker

Tessa turns one today! What a wild year it has been. Tessa is still working towards rolling, sitting and crawling, but her smile is pure magic. She brings joy to everyone she meets, and her determination is stronger than we ever knew possible. We returned yesterday from three weeks of intensive therapy at the Centre of Movement kindly funded by your donations. The Centre of Movement have opened the first New Zealand clinic of is kind in Rotorua.

For us as parents, it’s therapy too. It is a place where children like Tessa aren’t just seen, they’re believed in. It is a space where other families like us find comfort, courage, and a community. We’ve cried with strangers who became friends, celebrated tiny milestones that felt like miracles, and found strength we didn’t know we had. Your support has brought us here, and your generosity is giving Tessa life changing therapy to develop functional movement. Thank you again for supporting us on this journey.

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2% Effective Fee
On average, fundraisers pay just 2% to use Givealittle. This is one of the lowest effective fees in New Zealand fundraising. We charge a 5% platform fee to cover the cost of running the platform. Because most donors choose to top up their donation to cover this fee, the effective cost paid by fundraisers is about 2%. That means around 98 cents of every dollar raised goes to the cause. Learn More

Latest donations

Jordan
Jordan on 03 Jan 2026
$150
Kathy
Kathy on 02 Jan 2026
$100
Noah, Teina and Family ❤️
Noah, Teina and Family ❤️ on 01 Jan 2026
$100
Libby-Rose
Libby-Rose on 29 Dec 2025
Libby and Kian
$100
Mike
Mike on 29 Dec 2025
$100

Who's involved?

Nathaniel Parker's avatar
Created by Nathaniel Parker
Luke Parker's avatar
Paying to a verified bank account of Luke Parker
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This campaign started on 8 Sep 2024 and ended on 28 Feb 2026.