Help Rosie and her family during this tragic time

Hi All,

I am embarrassed and overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity people have shown towards my little family. I feel sick talking about money right now, it seems so unfair. But I also would love you all to know what this is going to do for us. We have a little farm south of Ward, Marlborough along with as a lease farm 20 min south again. The farm alone, with the dept we carry meant Gav had to work bloody hard for us to get ahead. Someone said a few days ago that Gav did the work of three men and he wasn’t wrong. What he achieved in a day was a lot, he was productive, meticulous and passionate. We’ve been here for 4 years now, Gav with the help of our family and some good contractors, has re grassed, subdivided, put in a water system and turned this farm into a awesome little block.

I was so proud of him, and the way he looked after those boys while I have been away, he was always so organised with them, he always had groceries, their lunch boxes always made, the washing was done and the next day was organised of who he was going to pass them to while he worked. We facetimed most nights and they were always fed, bathed and running around like idiots. He loved those kids so much and he never held back telling them.

We are now living in isolation with a few people close by in the bubble; I go to the hospital every morning to see wee Olive (who is being so dearly looked after by the Wairau Peads ward). She is going really well considering her bumpy start to the year. We have an amazing support team helping us on the farms, and I am slowly getting to grips with some ins and outs of the farm.

The boys have been amazing, they were there the day Gav died, he had a picnic set up for them while he shot up quickly to check some water (about 50m up a small hill), and never returned. They saw him dead which I think has helped them understand the process, he has now returned as dust, and they are both pleased he is back home. There is still no cause to his death.

It goes without saying the massive hole he has left – I won’t even try and describe it. I look at the boys and feel so sad that their Dad is not in their lives because he brought them so much happiness. He had so many unfinished plans – it seems so unbelievably cruel that everything was ripped away from him so soon – we were only just getting started.

My words cannot begin to show my amazed reaction to this give a little page, the support and kindness, It blows me away there are so many people who care for our little family. I am determined to carry them forward and try so bloody hard to fill my wee ones with joy and love. With your help we have a plan and a dream and that dream is Kintyre Downs, our little farm. Thank you for helping keep this dream alive. We have a purpose.

You will be so dearly missed Gav. You made me so proud in everything you did xxx

I wish I could thank everyone individually, but I have not yet had a chance to read all the comments.

Love Rosie, Harry, Digby and Olive