Help offers overwhelm car-theft victims

Tauranga couple Nikki Reynolds and Brendan Wilson with baby Skyla. Photo / Supplied

A terminally ill woman whose car was stolen from an Auckland hospital as she was due to give birth has been overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers.

Nikki Reynolds, 20, and her partner Brendan Wilson, 22, have offered their thanks to those who have come forward wanting to help after their car was stolen from an underground carpark at Auckland City Hospital on June 12.

The Tauranga couple had travelled to Auckland as Ms Reynolds' health deteriorated. She has cystic fibrosis.

Because of her condition she was told by doctors she would not be able to carry a child, however she gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Skyla on June 13.

The day before their daughter was born, the couple was shocked when Mr Wilson discovered that their car - packed with new baby clothes and medication - had been stolen.

The family's story featured in yesterday's Herald which has received dozens of offers from people wanting to help the young family.

Many people have offered to help the couple financially, while others have offered new clothes, toys and accessories for baby Skyla.

Ms Reynolds, back in Tauranga yesterday, said she and her extended family had been overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers.

"It's crazy. I didn't think it would be like this. I was expecting maybe just a few baby things but nothing like this."

Asked how baby Skyla was doing, Ms Reynolds said: "She's doing really well - she's perfect. She has no idea of what's happening, she just wants to eat and sleep.

"I just want to thank everybody who's wanting to help us. You don't know how much this means.

"We're just taking things as they come and trying to stay positive."

One woman, who wanted to be known only as Jacqui, has offered the couple a car.

The woman, who had been planning to sell the vehicle on Trade Me, decided to offer the family the car after reading about their plight.

"I just saw their story and it just broke my heart. They're already struggling so much, especially with her [Ms Reynolds'] health and then this happens to them. The car's just sitting there and it would be just a big help for a young couple just starting out."