My Kitchen Rules (MKR) 2024′s Pete has revealed that if he and Mike win, they’ll donate a quarter of the prize money to a hospital that’s helped him on his journey to becoming a father.
Trigger warning: This article discusses miscarriage and stillbirth.
Mike has bravely opened up about his struggle to become a parent and shared that he and his husband, Chris, have suffered three heartbreaking tragedies.
Pete told New Idea that he and Chris’ first attempt at adopting a child was unsuccessful, but they later met a lesbian couple named Katy and Rae, who offered to help them become parents.
“It was nothing short of a miracle. They had been wanting to help someone [have a baby] for several years but had never found someone they gelled with,” Pete explained. “[It] all seemed very serendipitous, like destiny.”
Using Pete’s sperm, the MKR contestant said that Katy fell pregnant quickly and the men named their son-to-be Leo. However, just over three months later, they received tragic news.
“We lost him. I still remember exactly where I was, walking towards the house when I got the phone call. It’s probably the single most traumatic experience that I’ve had,” Pete said.
Katy, Rae, Pete and Chris decided to try again, but it ended with a non-viable birth.
“He was born alive … We got to hold Malachi and say goodbye,” says Pete.
The following year, Katy was pregnant again with Chris and Pete’s daughter, who they named Francesca, but they lost her in a traumatic birth.
Pete wants his possible MKR winnings to the hospital that helped him
Pete told the publication that if he and Mike were to win MKR 2024, he wants to donate 25 percent of the prize money to the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, who helped him and Chris through their grief.
“I think it’s super important that people realise how common [losing a child] is. It’s OK to talk about it, to be sad and cry about it,” Pete said.
“Grief changes with time,” he added. “It doesn’t necessarily disappear – it just changes shape, for want of a better word.”
Pete said he and his husband still light a candle for Leo, Malachi and Francesca every night.
“I’ve got an illogical fear of forgetting their names, which I’m sure would never happen. But just having that moment to light the candle reminds you of them, allows you to say hello or goodnight,” he said.
Sending so much love to Chris and Pete!
If you or someone you know has experienced something similar and want to talk to someone, there is help available. Red Nose Grief and Loss provides support for people affected by pregnancy loss, stillbirth, baby or child death. You can call them on 1300 308 307 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Watch MKR on Mondays and Tuesdays at 7.30 pm on 7 and 7plus.
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