Walk for Prems raises $8000
A walk in Warragul recently raised more than $8000 to support premature and sick babies along with their families.
Walk for Prems Gippsland saw 168 people rally at Brooker Park, Warragul to support charity “Life’s Little Treasures Foundation”.
“It was a good day,” said organiser Serena Arnold. “The numbers were a bit down, but we had a good dynamic. Everyone had a ball.”
Ms Arnold said $2700 was raised on the day with an extra $5500 to $6000 paid in registrations.
This was only the second year of the walk, renamed Walk for Prems Gippsland to broaden its appeal. It is one of only three conducted in regional Victoria.
Ms Arnold added “the weather was really, really good; it was a beautiful day”.
The 20-degree temperature was in stark contrast to the rain and wind experienced on days either side of the walk.
She praised the team of 12 volunteers who helped run the day as well as the local Lions club for running the barbecue, Gippsland Water for supplying drink bottles and West Gippsland Library for storytime activities.
New additions to this year’s event were an increase in children’s activities, including a Teddy Bear’s Picnic out on the 4km course.
Walk for Prems is the largest annual fundraiser for “Life’s Little Treasures Foundation”, Australia’s foremost charity dedicated to supporting the families of babies born sick or prior to 37 weeks gestation.
“Premature birth is on the rise - now about eight per cent of births compared with six per cent in the past,” said Latrobe Regional Hospital chief medical officer and senior paediatrician Simon Fraser.
“Being born premature (before 37 weeks) is a significant event for not only the baby or babies but also the family. Most families are not expecting or ready for a premature baby and thus many more families are needing the support that LLTF can provide.”
The ninth annual Walk for Prems aimed to raise $300,000 nationally. The walk has raised over $1.4 million since 2010.