On Sunday 25th October, families across Australia, and the world (Ireland and Canada so far) will walk together in support of the 48,000 babies born sick or born before 37 weeks gestation across the country each year.

Walk for Prems 2020 is proudly presented by Baby Bunting and is the largest fund raiser for the Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, Australia’s foremost charity dedicated to supporting the families of babies born sick or early.

ONE WALK. A THOUSAND LOCATIONS: WALK FOR PREMS 2020 IS GOING VIRTUAL
For the past 11 years, families, friends and supporters have come together to walk, connect and celebrate, whilst raising money and awareness for premature and sick babies. This year we’ll still be walking for the same reason and with the same sense of purpose and connection. However, due to the current health pandemic, in the interests of protecting everyone (especially our precious prems!) we are encouraging participants to walk in small groups on a 5km route of their choosing on Sunday October 25, 2020.

Walk for Prems is a wonderfully inclusive and supportive community event and we have planned lots of great activities and competitions throughout the countdown to the event. Our instagram and facebook pages are very active and we have a Walk For Prems Facebook group where people can share tips, their walking routes and connect with other families. On Walk day we will be running the day online much like our previous events with an MC, speeches, family entertainment, competitions with lots of prizes up for grabs including Steelcraft prams and Baby Bunting vouchers and we will also be holding our dove ceremony where we pause to show our respects with the ceremonial release of white doves by a family who has lost a child.

Key timings on the Day:
Welcome: 9.30am
Dove ceremony/bubble blowing: 9.50am 5km Walk: 10.30am-12.30am
Thank you speeches: 12.30am

FEEL GOOD. DO GOOD.
Living in isolation is something prem families are all too familiar with and why we want to make sure that this walk is one that encourages people to reach out to each other, to enjoy the benefits of exercise and being outdoors and to feel part of something really positive. Enjoy the fun and spirit of being part of this wonderful community event. Without support this year, premature and sick babies and their Australian families could miss out on the help and care they need in 2021.

HOW TO REGISTER:
People can register themselves or a team through our walk for prems website, as well as fund raise: walkforprems.org.au Each participant will receive a race bib to proudly wear on the day and a 2020 Walk Medal for walking the 5km.

Walk merchandise including T-shirt shirts, branded face masks, smiley face masks (kids and adult sizes), and portable hand sanitiser (perfect for the pram) are available as well as other Life’s Little Treasures merchandise.

We have great prizes including those for: Best Dressed, Happiest Baby pic, Kids art competition, Top fund raisers, Scavenger Hunt winner as well as extra weekly competitions in the countdown to the Walk. Prizes include 6 Steelcraft pram bundles, Baby Bunting vouchers and lots more!

HOW LIFE’S LITTLE TREASURES HELPS FAMILIES: In 2019/2020, the foundation has continued to support as many families as possible by introducing digital products, running support events for families through social media and encouraging families to stay connected – particularly in those early uncertain days in hospital, and also when first home with their baby after leaving the security of hospital.

  • Financial Assistance packages to 66 families.
  • Information and resources to: 132 Hospitals; which included: 18,170 Tip sheets, 6656 NICU/SCN books,804 Precious Prem packs including 122 digital downloads
  • Supplied 156 ‘NICU food from the Heart’ meals, despite COVID-19. Dad’s night, NICU food from theHeart Meals and our Brekkie Bars have expanded to 6 hospitals
  • 12 sessions of ‘NICU connections’ facebook group chat facilitated by trained peer-to-peer volunteers.
  • Supplied 1593 ‘My Colourful journey’ Sibling colouring in books for families in hospital.
  • 1777 ‘Little Bag of Calm’ given to new parents.

For more information visit: walkforprems.org.au