Heartbreaking image of new dad cradling baby goes viral after it's revealed his wife died in labour

Their GoFundMe page has so far raised $23,295

An image of a dad holding his new-born daughter for the first time has gone viral after it was revealed that the little girl's mother died during her childbirth.

The beautiful black and white image sees first time dad Glenn Sheppard cradling his new baby, looking at her adoringly. Tragically Glenn's wife Amanda never saw her daughter, despite being 'filled with excitement' for the new arrival, as she died during the labour.

It has been reported that Amanda suffered from complications that arose during an elected caesarean section and that she died in theatre as she delivered 'beautiful daughter Willa'. She is believed to have died after suffering a suspected embolism - an obstruction of an artery.

Image: GoFundMe

Friends and family have rallied round Glenn at this difficult time, and have started a GoFundMe page to help the new dad as he takes on life as a single parent.

Friend Teagan Govaars, who created the page, wrote: 'This day was supposed to be one of the best & happiest days of their lives & instead She has now left her beloved husband & brand new baby girl behind! (sic)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204879749312417&set=a.3144761436877.106926.1800255044&type=3&theater

'Times right now are hard for Husband & their families & My heart is aching for them through this hard time.

'So I'm starting this Gofundme account to raise a little money to help them out a little with whatever it may be that they need.

Image: GoFundMe

'I would love to raise as much as I can to help them out.

'So please any donations big or small will go a long way to help out with any costs he needs & for his gorgeous little girl.'

In just three days nearly 400 people have donated to Glenn and baby Willa, both from Queensland Australia, where they're from, and from all over the world, with the total now reaching over $23,000.

Rosie Conroy
Food Writer

Rosie is an experienced food and drinks journalist who has spent over a decade writing about restaurants, cookery, and foodie products. Previously Content Editor at Goodto.com and Digital Food Editor on Woman&Home, Rosie is well used to covering everything from food news through to taste tests. Now, as well as heading up the team at SquareMeal - the UK's leading guide to restaurants and bars - she also runs a wedding floristry business in Scotland called Lavender and Rose.