On Sunday 27th October families across Australia will walk together in support of the 48,000 premature or sick babies born in Australia every year[1].

Walk for Prems 2019 is proudly presented by Baby Bunting and is the largest annual fundraiser for the Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, Australia’s foremost charity dedicated to supporting the families of babies born sick or prior to 37 weeks gestation.

Celebrating its 10th Walk, Walk for Prems will take place simultaneously in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and Perth – as well as regional locations such as Cairns, Townsville, Ballarat, Goulburn Valley & Gippsland.

“Premature birth is on the rise – now about 8% of births compared with 6% in the past. There are many reasons for this. They include increasing maternal age, more multiple pregnancies with assisted reproduction, higher rates of maternal diabetes and obesity to name a few. 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. Prematurity can cause significant financial, emotional and psychological hardship to families and is associated with significant rates of stress and mental health issues for families particularly if they have no supports”. – Dr Simon Fraser, Medical Director with a private health insurer

Walk for Prems has raised over 1.8 million and this year Life’s Little Treasures Foundation hopes to raise $350,000.

At the beginning of each Walk for Prems 2019 event, participants will pause to show their respect for the families whose babies have sadly passed away. Life’s Little Treasures Foundation honours their babies’ memory with the ceremonial release of white doves by a family that has lost a child or a ceremonial bubble ceremony in the regional settings.

Life’s Little Treasures Foundation understands that it is not possible for everyone to attend a Walk for Prems location, so those who live far away or whose baby is still in hospital are still able to take part in Walk for Prems by registering as a Virtual Walk for Prems Team member.

Locations Walk for Prems 2019 will take place at the following 12 locations;

• Adelaide; Karrawirra North Bank, War Memorial Drive, Adelaide
• Brisbane; Arthur Davis Park, Flinders Parade, Sandgate
• Canberra; Lake Tuggeranong, Tuggeranong Town Park, Bartlett Place, Greenway
• Melbourne; Palms Lawn, Albert Park Lake, Albert Park
• Hobart; Montrose Foreshore, Brooker Highway, Glenorchy, Hobart (TAS)
• Sydney; Jubilee Park, Glebe Foreshore Parks, Northcote Road Glebe (NSW)
• Perth; Sir James Mitchell Park, Zone 8, off Coode Street, South Perth Esplanade, South Perth Foreshore (WA)
• Cairns; Funship Parklands, Cairns Esplanade (FNQ)
• Townsville; The Strand, Strand Park, North Ward, Townsville (QLD)
• Ballarat; Wendouree Parade, Lake Wendouree, Ballarat (VIC)
• Gippsland; St Pauls Anglican Grammar School Gymnasium, 150 Bowen Street, Warragul (VIC)
• Goulburn Valley; Nathalia Primary School, Bromley Street, Nathalia (VIC)

Time

On Sunday 27th October Walk for Prems 2019 will open at 8.30am in Cairns, 8.30am in Townsville, 9.00am in Melbourne and Brisbane, 9.30am in Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Sydney and Hobart and 9.30am in Ballarat, Gippsland and Goulburn Valley.

Registration and Fundraising

People can register up for Walk for Prems 2019 at www.walkforprems.org.au

Registration costs $27 for adults, $15 for children and $8 for babies[2] in Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra, Perth and Sydney.

Registration in Melbourne[3], is $44 for adults, $20 for children and $10 for babies.

Registration in Cairns, Townsville, Gippsland, Goulburn Valley, Ballarat is $18 for adults, $10 for children and $7 for babies.

Virtual Walk Team registration entries are $30 for adults and $25 for children and include a Walk for Prems 2019 t-shirt.

All registrations include receiving a participation medal at the conclusion of the walk, access to free entertainment and children’s activities at each location.

Participants are asked to fundraise, either individually or as a team, through their own page on the Walk for Prems website.

Entertainment

After the walk, participants can relax and enjoy a range of children’s activities including music, a jumping castle and face-painting.

References

1. According to Hilder L, Zhichao Z, Parker M, Jahan S, Chambers GM 2014. Australia’s Mothers and Babies. Perinatal statistics series no. 30. Cat. no. PER 69. Canberra: AIHW

2. It is an insurance requirement that all participants be registered for the event, including babies.

3. The Melbourne Walk for Prems includes more entertainment and children’s activities than other walk locations.