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Gold Coast drowning victim Simon Wilson’s legacy to live on through child he never met

UPDATE: The legacy of a “loving father” and husband, who drowned surfing on the Gold Coast will live on through a child that never met him.

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THE wife of the local surfer who drowned on the Gold Coast tragically never got to tell her husband she’s expecting their third child.

 

A GoFundMe page set up for Simon Wilson, who drowned while surfing at Mermaid Beach on August 6, revealed the bittersweet news that the couple is expecting their third child.

Drowning victim Simon Wilson with wife Lisa and kids Ava and Finn. Photo from GoFundMe page set up to support Mr Wilson's family.
Drowning victim Simon Wilson with wife Lisa and kids Ava and Finn. Photo from GoFundMe page set up to support Mr Wilson's family.

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Lisa Wilson never had the chance to tell her 44-year-old husband and father to their children Ava, 8, and Finn, 4, the news before his tragic passing.

The fundraising page set up by Ms Wilson’s close friend Kate McFall revealed the heartbreaking news.

Drowning victim Simon Wilson and wife Lisa. Photo from GoFundMe page set up to support Mr Wilson's family.
Drowning victim Simon Wilson and wife Lisa. Photo from GoFundMe page set up to support Mr Wilson's family.

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“Not only did Simon not come home to Lisa, Ava and Finn, he died before he and Lisa were to discover they were pregnant with their 3rd child,” the GoFundMe page said.

“Due in April 2021, this baby will be this devastated family’s last tie to their Dad and Husband, and will be showered with more love than humanly possible.

“As our own hearts break for these two – soon to be three – beautiful children, and Lisa who is now on her own to raise her babies without her soul mate, we ask you to please give a donation that can be used to help support her and the children during this extremely hard and overwhelming time.”

Police at the scene in Mermaid Beach. Picture: Jerad Williams
Police at the scene in Mermaid Beach. Picture: Jerad Williams

Ms McFall set up the page to support a fellow mother and friend, who she met eight years ago at a boot camp in Broadbeach and connected over having a baby.

The mother-of-two – Ethan, 8, and Noah, 4 – has been looking after Finn when he’s not attending Broadbeach Waters Kindergarten to support her friend.

“Lisa always wanted a third child, so the news has been bittersweet for her,” Ms McFall said.

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“Simon had been working from home recently because of COVID, allowing him to pick up Ava from the Broadbeach State School and taking her to the park.

“He was known as a loving father by those who saw him with his children at the park or at the Nippers on Sundays.

"His face has been missed in the community by other parents and kids.”

The fundraiser created on Friday is aiming to raise $50,000 and by Thursday it had raised just over $13,000.

TO HELP THE FAMILY PLEASE CLICK HERE

Originally published as Gold Coast drowning victim Simon Wilson’s legacy to live on through child he never met

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/man-drowns-at-mermaid-beach-on-gold-coast/news-story/83a178b408fecd9e0fc77b40b7c8ad18