Hope starts with a step - Australians to raise awareness and vital funds for families of premature babies in annual walk

Celebrating its 15th year, the annual Walk for Prems will be held in nine locations across Australia during the month of October to raise vital funds and awareness for the 48,000 babies born premature or sick in Australia each year.

Now in its fifteenth 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 - and is proudly presented by Baby Bunting.

This year, the event is being held in Hobart, Bendigo, Adelaide, Ballarat, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Once again, a virtual walk option is also available, offering registrants the freedom and flexibility to participate, regardless of their location.

Across fifteen years, Life’s Little Treasures Foundation have held 96 Walk for Prems with over 42,800 participants who have walked over 214,100km and helped families in 152 hospitals across Australia.

Over the past fifteen years, Walk for Prems has raised $4.6 million, without any significant funding from the government, and this year Life’s Little Treasures Foundation hopes to raise $650,000 for families in need.

Australia has 24 level three neonatal intensive care units (the highest level of care) which are used by the approximately 9,700 premature and sick babies born each year.

The total cost of pre-term birth per annum to the Australian government was estimated to be $1.413 billion in 2022. In the long-term, pre-term birth leaves many children with lifelong disabilities which are a significant strain on families, both financially and emotionally.

CEO of Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, Felicia Welstead, says: “Parents of premature and sick babies are not only struggling with the emotional and psychological stress of having a baby born too soon or unwell, they are now also facing significant financial strain and worries amid this crippling cost of living crisis.”

“What many don’t realise is the enormous and often unexpected financial burden that comes with extended hospital stays such as parking expenses, extra petrol costs and accommodation expenses for those families staying away from home. Not to mention a decrease in income for some families who may need to take time off work.”

“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 vital funds so we can continue to provide emotional and financial support to families with premature and sick babies and make a real difference to their lives,” said Ms. Welstead.

“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.”

“By simply getting involved in Walk for Prems, you will be helping to relieve the financial and emotional stress on families so they can concentrate on spending time bonding and caring for their baby,” explains Ms. Welstead.

To help spread this important message, Life’s Little Treasures Foundation has enlisted the help of Carlton Football Club midfielder, George Hewett, partner Alice Summers and their son, Henry (who was born unexpectedly at 28 weeks gestation) as their national Walk for Prems Ambassadors.

“We know from our experience with Henry that nothing can prepare you for having to share your first special moments with your baby with an entire ward of other shell-shocked parents. Fathers and mothers of premature babies are prime candidates for postnatal depression and an organisation like LLTF puts its arms around these parents and provides them with support, connections and moments of brightness in the darkness,” says Alice.

Alice continues: “The services provided by LLTF make parents of premature and sick babies feel seen and hopeful, recognising that their babies are valued, whilst acknowledging the trauma of the whole experience. By supporting these parents both emotionally and financially, LLTF can change the lives of families in both the short and longer-term. That’s why we’re proud to support this charity through our role as the national ambassadors for Walk for Prems 2024.”

Throughout October, Walk for Prems will bring together families of sick and premature babies (both past and present) as well as those who feel strongly for this very worthwhile cause.

“We’re very excited to be celebrating 15 years of this truly inclusive and supportive community event and have lots of competitions and fun activities planned which are sure to entertain walkers of all ages,” says Ms. Welstead.

At many locations, a remembrance ceremony will also take place in remembrance of those families who have lost a baby.

HOW TO REGISTER: People can register themselves, a team or sponsor a friend at www.walkforprems.org.au.

Each registrant receives a race bib and a 2024 Walk Medal. Branded merchandise including T-shirts, shoelaces and drink bottles will be available for purchase online and on the day.

DONATE: If you’d like to make a donation to Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, visit www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au. All donations $2 or more are tax deductible.