October 25th, 2025Support for grieving parents
Parents who have lost a child are helping other families who suddenly face the same heartbreaking loss through a specialised program now available in Victoria as part of a national expansion.
The Ladybird Care Foundation was established by Wayne and Maree Pascoe following the death of their 18-year-old daughter, Emma Louise in 2014.
The Foundation funds a Peer Mentor Program that has now trained 50 bereaved parents to become qualified mentors, providing support and care to families struggling with recent loss.
Victorian-based Peer Mentor Program Manager, Naomi Mason, said the national expansion is a critical step in ensuring families, no matter where they are, don’t feel alone. The support is at no cost to families.
“Parents say it’s a club nobody ever wants to join. Ladybird Care’s mentors have shared experience, and knowing you’re not alone is truly comforting,” Ms Mason said.
“Counselling and therapy are important, but they don’t always meet every need. Peer support brings the kind of empathy and understanding only someone who’s lived it can offer – and can complement clinical care when needed.”
Haidee Murnane was supported by the Ladybird Care Foundation after her son, Harper died, aged five, to Batten Disease in 2022. She is due to complete the Peer Mentor training at the end of October to support other families.
“Unless you’ve been in those shoes, no matter how kind people are, it’s impossible to truly grasp what it feels like,” Ms Murnane said.
“When I was paired with my Peer Mentor, I finally had someone who truly got me, who understood my story without me needing to explain it.
“The Peer Mentor Program is an incredible concept. Everyone should have the chance to connect with someone who has walked this path, so they don’t have to walk it alone. I ‘m honoured to give that same support to someone else.”
Co-founders Wayne and Maree Pascoe said it was their experience that highlighted “just how big the gap in bereavement support for parents in Australia really is.”
“When our daughter Emma passed away, we left the hospital completely lost. There was no follow-up, no one to talk to, and no guidance on what came next,” Mr Pascoe said.
The Foundation marked its first event outside of Queensland (11 October) with a community gathering for bereaved parents and supporters in Melbourne.
Mr Pascoe said, with the help of other co-founders Greg Beech, Craig Barke, Mike Delport, and Colin Ginger, and generous supporters, the goal was to support families in every state and territory because tragedy knows no border.
Information on how to support Ladybird Care Foundation is here.
Support also available through: Griefline 1300 845 745 Grief support 8am-8pm (AEST) 7 days a week; Lifeline (13 11 14) 24/7 Crisis Support; 13 Yarn 24/7 Crisis Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
