The annual Walk for Prems will be held in Canberra and eight other locations across Australia this month to raise funds and awareness for the 48,000 babies born premature or sick in Australia each year.
In Canberra, Walk for Prems will set off from Tuggeranong Town Park on Sunday 8 October at 10.30am (welcome at 9.30am and remembrance ceremony at 10.25am), finishing with thank-you speeches at 12pm.
Now in its fourteenth year, Walk for Prems is the largest fundraiser for the Life’s Little Treasures Foundation – Australia’s foremost charity dedicated to supporting the families of babies born sick or before 37 weeks gestation.
This year, the event is being held in Canberra, Hobart, Bendigo, Ballarat, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Once again, a virtual walk option is also available, offering registrants the freedom and flexibility to participate, regardless of their location.
Life’s Little Treasures helps local families, like Canberra couple, Bec and Khye, who faced unimaginable challenges with their two premature babies, Josh and Lukas.
Josh was born at 33 weeks and had to stay in NICU for a few days on CPAP followed by 29 days in the SCN learning how to feed, breathe and regulate his temperature. He is now a thriving two-year-old, taking on the world with his happy and determined personality.
Lukas was born at 25 weeks, but suffered from many complications, such as severe pulmonary hypertension and a brain bleed that worsened from category 1 to category 4 on both sides. Sadly, the couple says, “Lukas fought hard and showed incredible courage, but his little body could not overcome all the obstacles. Lukas is a bright star who will always shine in the hearts of his loved ones.”
CEO of Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, Felicia Welstead, says, “In this time where the cost of living is increasing, parents of premature and sick babies have been doing it especially tough. Not just struggling with feelings of isolation and uncertainty, they are now also facing significant financial worries.”
“More than ever, these families need our support. That’s why we are encouraging the community to step up and step out to help raise awareness and much needed funds so we can continue to support families with premature and sick babies and make a real difference to their lives,” Ms Welstead says.
Walk for Prems has raised $3.8 million since its inception, without any significant funding from government, and this year Life’s Little Treasures Foundation hopes to raise $500,000 for families in need.
“The funds raised will go towards providing families with practical support through items such as fuel, accommodation and food vouchers, breakfast boxes during their hospital stay and emotional support by ensuring we can host in-hospital morning teas and our online NICU Connections parent support groups.”
“Even as little as $10 goes a long way, enabling us to provide a family with our comprehensive hospital booklet to help inform them during this vulnerable time,” Ms Welstead says.
Regardless of whether participants will be walking in person or virtually, the day will be filled with fun for the whole family.
“Walk for Prems is a wonderfully inclusive and supportive community event and we have lots of competitions and activities on the day to entertain walkers of all ages,” she says.
At many locations, a ceremony will also take place in remembrance of those families who have lost a baby.
People can register themselves, a team or sponsor a friend at www.walkforprems.org.au.
Each registrant receives a race bib and a 2023 Walk Medal. A selection of Walk for Prems merchandise including T-shirts, branded shoelaces and drink bottles are available for purchase online and on the day.
If you’d like to make a donation to Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, visit www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
How Life’s Little Treasures helps families
In 2022/2023, Life’s Little Treasures Foundation provided:
- 192 families with financial assistance packages to the value of $250 per family
- Information and resources to 149 hospitals, including 1,556 Precious Prem Packs and over 2,500 ‘Little Bag of Calm’ to distribute to new parents
- 4,260 breakfast boxes with a fortnightly Brekkie Bar available in eight hospitals around the country
- 124 sessions of its virtual ‘NICU Connections’ event facilitated by trained peer support volunteers; and
- 21,974 milestone gifts sent to families in celebration of Mother‘s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, etc.
