8 August 2011
Dear Legacy Supporter,
What could be harder for a child than losing their mother?
Katy Potter died suddenly and tragically after faithfully serving Australia in the Gulf War. Tim
was only 4 and Jess 6, when they were left displaced, lost and lonely, without the one person
that we all depend on most in the world for love and care.
Thanks to contributions from our generous supporters, Legacy was able to assist the children and their
grandparents, Ian and Judy, who tried their best to fill the enormous gap left in the children’s lives by
their mother’s untimely death.
Now Legacy needs your help to provide for more families like the Potters.
Ian and Judy had retired and were living in Queensland when they received the devastating news their
daughter had passed away. They loved their grandchildren dearly and unreservedly, and did everything
possible to ease the children’s pain and loss. As soon as they could, they gained custody of the
children through a very draining legal process.
But after working extremely hard all their lives Judy says both she and Ian struggled with the many
adjustments needed to set themselves up to care for two young children. They were forced to abandon
their retirement dreams and the lifestyle they had looked forward to for so long.
Ian had to go back to work. Judy got a part-time job in the local
community centre and some relief teaching. The added costs of raising
children included counselling for Tim and Jess.
“The children were too young to understand what had happened when
Katy died and were just bewildered. But later they became very sad little
people and were very disturbed”, remembers Judy.
With no extended family in Queensland Ian, Judy and the kids moved
to country Victoria, closer to Judy’s parents, where the kids could walk
to school.
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A family friend suggested Ian and Judy contact Legacy for the
additional support they needed. Neither had known the children were
entitled to help because of their mother’s war service. Support was
immediate. The children received a computer and ongoing help with
school fees, school uniforms and other educational costs. Legacy
volunteers visit regularly and have become like extended family.
“We felt a huge weight taken off our shoulders. We no longer had to
worry over what would happen to the kids’ education if one or both
of us passed away. We now know that Legacy will ensure they finish
their schooling. This has also meant we could do things like start
thinking about some family holidays, which we could save for without
scrimping on school excursions”, said Judy.
Jess, now 15, and Tim, now 12, also enjoy the new friendships they
have formed on Legacy holiday camps with other children in a similar
position. Jess said:
“Knowing that we are not the only children who have lost a parent who was helping keep Australia free
gives us a sense of pride and belonging.”
This resilient family is gradually recovering, thanks to the support that Legacy was able to provide with
the help from our donors. Tim is following his passion for team sports, while Jess has swum at State
level. Both are musical with Jess showing particular talent playing the keyboard. It is a joy to their loving
grandparents to listen to them play, and both are thrilled and proud of their
many achievements.
Jess proudly wears her mother’s medals on ANZAC Day each year as the
children march with their grandfather, himself a veteran of 20 years.
“It is great to march with my grandchildren beside me and when I march
I think of my daughter Katy and the times when she marched beside me
too”, said Ian proudly.
Daily, selfless young men and women like Katy Potter are risking
their lives for Australia’s sake on hazardous military, humanitarian and
peacekeeping missions overseas. All deserve the certainty of knowing
their families will be looked after should the unthinkable happen.
Ian, Judy, Tim and Jess will struggle with Katy’s loss, long into the
future. As a nation benefiting from their sacrifice, it is our privilege
to comfort and strengthen them, together carrying the undying
flame of service that is Legacy’s timeless emblem.
Our not-for-profit organisation relies on public funding to provide services
easing the burden for families of deceased Australian veterans. Today
I ask you to make a donation to Legacy so we can give thousands of
families the assurance of ongoing financial, social and emotional support,
as long as they may need us. Please help with a gift today.
Lest we forget,
Peter Rouch
Legatee President, Sydney Legacy
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