It was only after Cath Hughes’ husband Brett – or Bazz, as he was known – passed away two years ago that she realised they had just one photograph together with their three young children.
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But that photo was blurred, their facial features obscured.
“When I realised that was the only one, I was just devastated,” Mrs Hughes said.
She said they had planned to have family photos taken but kept putting it off, only to organise them after Bazz fell ill.
But the day they were due to have the photos taken was tragically the day he died, aged 35 and just 42 days after he was diagnosed with cancer.
Now Mrs Hughes has harnessed her pain to help others in similar circumstances, establishing the Big Love Foundation to support families with a parent living with a terminal illness.
This month it will hold a fundraiser in Bendigo, at which families can have their photos taken by professional photographers.
Mrs Hughes said the event was about celebrating family and togetherness.
“The intent is that they have what I don’t have,” she said.
The concept came about after Mrs Hughes shared the story of her blurred photo on Facebook, and urged others to “take the photos”, regardless of how busy they felt or their opinion of their own looks.
“Now is the perfect time to have photos taken. Now, before it changes. Right now. You are all perfect as you are. Take the photos. While you have time,” she wrote in February.
Her poignant words struck a chord and the post became viral, shared hundreds of times and picked up by major media outlets.
“It’s really told me it was something people needed to hear, something that people resonated with,” Mrs Hughes said.
Seeing the impact of Mrs Hughes’ post, her friend Tamara Cadd, a professional photographer, suggested an event to give families the opportunity of having portraits taken.
The Big Love Foundation held its first fundraiser in Echuca in April, an event so successful it was decided it would come to Bendigo.
Eleven photographers have volunteered their services for Take the Photos, which will be held at the Botanic Gardens on June 25 from 8.30am to 11.30am.
Money raised will support families experiencing terminal illness by gifting them family portraits and experiences to enjoy together.
Mrs Hughes said they were also developing resources to help parents support children.
For more information or to book, visit the Big Love Foundation website.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
