September 23rd 2024.
The loss of a child is an unimaginable tragedy for any parent, and for Matt, the stepfather of 12-year-old Charlotte, it has been an unbearable reality. Earlier this month, Charlotte tragically took her own life, leaving her family devastated and heartbroken. In a recent interview with 2GB's Ben Fordham Live, Matt opened up about his daughter's suicide and how his wife Kelly and the rest of the family are coping.
Through tears, Matt shared that their entire family is "broken" but they felt it was important to stay strong and speak out about Charlotte's story. It was her final wish for them to share her story and bring awareness to the issue, in hopes that something positive could come from this tragedy. "I get up every morning and talk to whoever wants to listen, because we need change, Ben," Matt explained, "we need to do better for our kids than what we're doing today."
Charlotte, a Year 7 student at Santa Sabina College, had been struggling with school bullying for years before taking her life on September 9th. Kelly had tried to address the bullying with the school, but sadly, it wasn't enough to stop the tragic outcome. Matt and Kelly firmly believe that the bullying played a significant role in Charlotte's death, and they are determined to see change happen. "I would not allow this behavior in my home," Matt declared, "we as adults need to step in and solve the problem . . . I'm looking for schools to have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to these things."
The couple expressed their disappointment with Santa Sabina College's response to the bullying allegations, as it didn't align with their own records. They feel that the school needs to take accountability and make changes in their policies to prevent another child from losing their life. "It has been heartbreaking, [but] having said that, Ben, I would still welcome the opportunity to meet with the school if they were to reach out to me directly," Matt said, "I'm not sure, with the responses that have come from the school, that we're going to see change there anytime soon."
Matt also took this opportunity to address all schools and their leaders, urging them to have difficult conversations and take bullying seriously. He emphasized that nothing is more difficult than having this conversation with parents who have lost their child. Both Matt and Kelly want to make it clear that they don't hold any anger or blame towards the students at Santa Sabina College.
In the midst of their grief, the couple wants to ensure that Charlotte's story is not forgotten and that she is remembered for the amazing person she was. Matt spoke fondly of his daughter, describing her as kind, loving, and always putting others before herself. He shared that Charlotte had a special bond with her little brother Will and was thrilled to become a big sister. "She was just the most amazing 12-year-old you would ever meet," Matt said, "they were inseparable."
Matt may have been Charlotte's stepfather, but he had been a father figure to her since he met her mother, Kelly. The pair were set to get married in a month, and now, they are planning their daughter's funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Kids Helpline, and they have been overwhelmed by the support from their local community during this difficult time.
As they prepare to say their final goodbyes to Charlotte, Matt and Kelly want to remind everyone that if they have been moved by their daughter's story, they should take action and reach out for help. "If you have shown any emotion having listened to my daughter's story . . . please organize a meeting and do it today," Matt pleaded. In her memory, they want to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and the impact of bullying on young people.
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