OUR BUSHFIRE CHRISTMAS BLESSING

THROUGH THE SMOKE AND ASHES, BABY SPENCER BROUGHT JOY AND MAGIC TO ONE AUSSIE FAMILY

As Cassie Randall’s due date fast approached, she anxiously watched the news with her partner, Beau.

It was almost Christmas, and Australia was burning. Bushfires ripped through the country with increasing ferocity, leaving nothing but ash and desperation in their wake.

And while Cassie and Beau had been looking forward to the birth of their first child, they now had to face the fact that Beau might not be around to see it.

With the fires in NSW and Victoria becoming more intense, Beau, a volunteer firefighter, was called on to help out in Batemans Bay, NSW.

“When I was called to action, Cassie took it hard,” Beau, 33, tells New Idea. “But firefighting isn’t just a hobby, it’s about saving lives, so we both knew I had to go.”

Cassie called her mum and a friend to support her through labour in case Beau couldn’t make it back in time.