Bronwyn

Legacy has been supporting Bronwyn and her daughters, Aaliyah (14) and Brienna (11), for almost a decade.  

Bronwyn’s ex-husband, Nikki, served as a Combat Engineer in the Australian Army for nine years. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. 

“He came home just before her first birthday…but he didn’t really come back to me in the same way.” 

Nikki returned home with a back and shoulder injury, but he wasn’t only physically injured – he came home bearing the unseen mental scars of war. 

“He was quite numb to things and retreated to himself a lot…he was like a shell of himself.” 

“He self-medicated to help relieve his symptoms, which put him in a state of psychosis a lot of the time – flashbacks and not making sense…being in and out of rehabilitation, became the norm.” 

Nikki was medically discharged in 2016, diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  

As the reality of his diagnosis took a toll on their young family, it was during this time that a case worker suggested Bronwyn connect with Legacy. 

“Legacy was the first place we were introduced to that was going to help the kids and I too.” 

Because of the kindness of people like you, Legacy eased the financial stress of surviving on a single income, helping to pay for Aaliyah and Brienna’s daycare and school fees, as well as tutoring and uniforms.   

Legacy also connected Bronwyn’s family to a Legatee, Doug, who has been in their lives since 2017 and is now “like family”.  

Legacy has also helped pay for dancing and swimming lessons, and the girls regularly attend Legacy activities and events – things Bronwyn says they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to do. 

Your donation is more than a gesture to families like Bronywn’s – it’s a reminder that the sacrifices her family have made have not been forgotten.    

Bronwyn has since separated from Nikki and looks after Aaliyah and Brienna as a single parent.  

Although the girls’ relationship with Nikki “is different to other dads they see”, Bronwyn is grateful Aaliyah and Brienna have grown up in the care of the Legacy family, with a community that understands their circumstances. 

“Legacy is amazing – with them, my girls never have to miss out. We are able to connect with others in similar situations and it means so much to not feel alone it all this.” 

Legacy is there to keep the promise to the families of Australia’s fallen and injured veterans – to help them in their time of greatest need. 

By donating today, you can provide essential financial, social and emotional support to the families struggling due to the service of their parent or partner. 

Please give generously so we can keep the Promise and help more veterans’ families like Bronwyn’s receive the support they need and deserve.