Carine students make memory boxes for grieving families

HIGH school students are making a difference to the lives of grieving parents.

Woodworking students from Carine Senior High School donated 38 memory boxes they made to charity Carolyn and the Community.

The organisation is run by Kingsley’s Carolyn Baird, whose years of support through donations of care packs and toys to Perth Children’s Hospital earned her a Medal of the Order of Australia this year.

She started the memory boxes initiative in January, with men’s sheds in Stirling, Balcatta and Capel making the wooden boxes.

“When a child passes away a memory box gets sent to the room of the parents,” she said.

Inside the box is an envelope to keep a lock of hair, casts for hand and footprints, a handmade handkerchief, poem and an item on which the doctors or nurses can write a message.

Ms Baird’s brother Brad, a former Carine student, died of a brain tumour about 35 years ago at age 16.

Her mother Beverley Burt said she made her own version of a memory box after losing her son.

“We’re very proud of Carolyn, and the memory of Brad goes on and on with our family,” she said.

Ms Baird is inspired by her brother’s memory and aims to show families they are not alone.

“Everything I do from my heart,” she said.

“I’m very proud of what we have achieved as a community.

“I know we are making a huge difference.”

To help, find Carolyn and the Community on Facebook or email carolyn.baird@iinet.net.au.