The Cooper Trewin Foundation

The Cooper Trewin Foundation

We tragically lost our son Cooper, aged 16 months, on the 6th of February 2010. He was our only child at the time and was the most loved and cherished little boy anyone could ever wish for.

I placed Cooper to sleep, gave him three kisses on his forehead, told him that I loved him and could not have been any happier. The nightmare that I awoke to, and still live with today, has become a reality that remains impossible to comprehend.

We still have no reason for Cooper’s passing. The coroner’s report stated “unascertainable” and, as a parent who did everything possible for their child, that answer was simply not enough.

We had a healthy little boy and, for reasons unknown, he passed away in his sleep. The term used is SUDC, “Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood”, and at the time very little research was being conducted, primarily in America. I decided that needed to change.

Through the love for our son and the desire to help other families, the Cooper Trewin Foundation was established to raise funds supporting vital SUDC research and awareness.

Why are we doing this?

This website exists to share Cooper’s legacy and the positive impact his memory continues to have, not only within our local community, but across Australia and around the world.

As a grieving parent with so many unanswered questions, I knew I needed to focus on something meaningful. Through the Cooper Trewin Foundation, we continue to raise funds and awareness, support ongoing research, and hope that one day families everywhere may finally find answers and protection against this tragic and unexplained loss.

Robert Trewin

Proud father of Cooper, Chelsea and Jesse.

Robert is a self employed Mortgage Broker who lives in Swan Reach, just outside Bairnsdale in country Victoria, Australia.

Through the incredible support of the local community, sponsors, supporters and families across Australia, the Cooper Trewin Foundation has now raised almost $3,000,000 towards SUDC research, awareness and support initiatives.

The Foundation works closely with leading researchers and medical professionals, including partnerships and collaboration with Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, helping support global research efforts into Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood.

Robert remains heavily involved in community and charitable work through the Cooper Trewin Foundation and continues to advocate for greater awareness and research into unexplained childhood deaths.

As founder of the Cooper Trewin Foundation, Robert hopes to continue supporting research into unexplained childhood deaths through fundraising efforts and by bringing together Australian families who have experienced the same unimaginable tragedy, with the goal of helping find answers for future generations.