Help the Pooley Whanau keep Jamie Pooley buried where he is

As most of you will be aware - Jamie Pooley took his own life on Saturday 14th May, 2011 aged 27 years young, a father who left behind three beautiful sons.

Tragically, Jamie was found by our then nine year old son Tuhaka. An innocent but brave little boy was left alone to look after his younger brothers and relay what he witnessed in finding his father to emergency services. This brought about its own set of challenges around grief, loss and dealing with the emotional, mental and physical impact Jamie’s sudden and very unexpected death had on many.

The Pooley whanau - Jamie's parents Charlotte and Bruce Pooley and Jamie's siblings Frances and Daniel Pooley are defending a case brought forward in the High Court of New Zealand to keep Jamie buried where he currently lays at Memorial Park Cemetary in Christchurch.

The other party in this case is seeking an order to have Jamie's remains exhumed, cremated and held by Jamie's children until they decide what to do with them.

I cannot speak for Jamie's two youngest children but I know my son Tuhaka and the Pooley whanau are one million percent against the exhumation and cremation going ahead.

In the past many have said "What can we do to help?" I know the Pooley family would never ask for help so this is why I am starting this page. If ever you wanted to contribute in some way to support this whanau and what they are going through then please consider giving to this page to help with the High Court costs.

Defending this High Court case has not come with a small price tag - lawyers fees are mounting up and although Bruce and Charlotte are legal aid funded - they still have to pay the money back themselves with a caveat already been placed on their family home to secure recovery of the costs incurred. Is it not enough that this family have tragically and suddenly lost a son/brother/father to suicide? But now are faced with the added stress of a court case and huge financial burden ontop of what is already a highly traumatic situation – it’s just not fair.

Unfortunately, for the Pooley whanau, they have recently received the devastating news that Jamie’s mum Charlotte has a timeline to live of 4 - 12 months, due to a life threatening illness. The stress of losing Jamie and responding in defence to all the court submissions has taken a huge toll on Charlotte's rapidly deteriorating health.

To date, costs are sitting around the $20,000 dollar figure but with expert evidence to be given at the trial set for later in the year and high court trial costs - this will well and truly be in excess of $30,000. Every single dollar given will help to ease the huge, unexpected and unwanted financial stress on this family.