Hoppers Crossing’s Hewitt family has been through a lot over the past year, but things are looking a little brighter thanks to the kindness of volunteers from Werribee Lions Club.
The club organised for a pergola to be built in the family’s backyard and provided a trampoline for the children to play on after hearing about their rough year.
Loren Hewitt found her husband Joe dead in the kitchen in January, just 13 days after the birth of their daughter Emma.
Mr Hewitt died of a heart-related problem.
Since his birth, Mrs Hewitt’s five-year-old son, Henry, has been battling a range of health problems, including pulmonary hypertension and chronic lung disease.
He spent most of his first nine months of life in the Royal Children’s Hospital undergoing countless surgeries. He also had to have a tube inserted in his stomach, which he is fed through.
Henry’s condition means he often can’t play outdoors in winter when he is at risk of catching a cold, or in summer when it is too hot.
His parents had hoped to build a pergola to provide him with a shaded play area, but Ms Hewitt was unable to follow through with the plans after her husband died.
Lions president Zeyna Gould said the club was touched by the family’s story and would build the pergola for Henry with the help of Mr Hewitt’s workmates from Boral.
The club also gave Mrs Hewitt a new clothesline and sourced a replacement hot water system after the existing unit broke.
“The Lions Club has done wonders for our family,” Mrs Hewitt said.
“We have been through such a horrible time, but their help and kindness has given us our faith back.
“Joe and I were always the ones to give help to others, so it feels strange to be the one getting help.”
