Walk for Prems steps out in Geelong

GEELONG community members gathered at Anthony Costa Oval on Tuesday last week for the region’s inaugural Walk for Prems – The Mighty Trek Challenge.

Held by Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, the annual Walk for Prems takes place right across the country and this year, added Geelong to its list of locations.

Raising awareness for sick and premature babies and their families across Australia, participants pushed a NICU incubator around the oval as part of its 900km journey from Sydney to Melbourne.

Life’s Little Treasures state co-ordinator Katie Hollingsworth said the day was about families being able to share their stories with other people who understand and provide hope for those still on their journey.

“Having a sick or premature baby is a really isolating journey,” she said.

“It’s about bringing our community together to show support for them and to raise very important money for us to continue doing the work we do, offering peer support, financial assistance and a range of other services for families going through this.”

The not-for-profit group provides tailored information, practical support and community connection for families with premature or sick babies, a service local mum Danni Menzies used following the birth of her daughter Evelyn.

Ms Menzies, along with her partner Dave Menzies, welcomed their daughter via emergency c-section at 29 weeks, weighing just 602 grams.

The mum of two connected with the organisation through Facebook, chatting with some of the peer mentors before becoming a volunteer herself.

“I think it’s really important, it can be a really lonely journey when you’re in the NICU and it’s really hard to explain to people when you are in it what’s going on or what’s happening.”

“I’m the ambassador for Geelong’s Walk for Prems and I’m doing some peer support work at the Women’s, where Evelyn was born, going to talk to families about what life looks like beyond the NICU.”

Health professionals were also encouraged to get a team together for this week’s walk and fundraise for the cause, and their hospital directly.

Hospitals will receive 50 per cent of the funding raised by their team to use on equipment, training or vital items.

For more information or to get involved with a virtual walk, head to themightytrek.org.au