Generous Capetonians helped to cheer up a mother of quadruplets, who sadly lost one of her newborns last week.
Car fanatics from across the Cape Flats on Sunday showed their support for the Tafelsig woman by holding a mass drive-by baby shower.
The bash was hosted at Westgate Mall where Capetonians came with presents to congratulate mom Berenice Jacobs, 36, and dad Melvyn Loots, 35.
The unemployed couple made headlines after Berenice appealed for help with her extraordinary pregnancy.
After carrying her four bundles of joy for 30 weeks, she gave birth via C-section to three girls and one boy at Groote Schuur Hospital on 1 September.
The babies were being kept in the intensive care unit as they were pre-term while Berenice was discharged last week.
But tragedy struck on Thursday when the couple were informed that their son, Cole Alwyn, had died in hospital.
The news came as a shock as Cole was the largest of the four with the best chance of survival.
A hartseer Berenice says: “Our boy Cole picked up an infection which they treated.
“But on Thursday night, they called us to say that he passed away.
“We are heartbroken because he was the strongest. I went to the hospital on Friday when they explained everything to me.
“I told them we are unable to bury him as we are both not working so they will assist us with a cremation. The girls are still in intensive care.”
Cousin Bronwyn Ruiters says about 40 cars lined up at the mall to meet the proud parents.
“There were various car clubs including Cape Caddy Owners, Datsun Go, Caddy Cartel, Caddy Nation and Team Unexpected and they come from Milnerton, Belhar, Ravensmead, Mitchells Plain and other areas. It was very successful and the people were very excited to meet Berenice. They came with toiletries, blankets, clothes and other items,” says Bronwyn.
She says the grateful parents also received other household items to help them prepare for when the babies are sent home, while Golden Arrow Bus Services sponsored Berenice with bus rides to the hospital.
The couple has three other children and live in a Wendy house.
“We drove in convoy to their home in Tafelsig where we hosted a memorial service for Cole,” says Bronwyn.
“The family is very grateful to everyone who came out to assist Berenice and a special thanks to Westgate Mall who allowed us to use the parking lot and Golden Arrow who sponsored a bus ticket so Berenice can take milk to the babies each day.”’
monique.duval@inl.co.za