Ballarat mother Samantha Prowse is hoping families across Ballarat will join a virtual walk next week to raise funds to support families with sick or premature babies.
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Ms Prowse usually hosts the annual Walk for Prems in Ballarat in October which attracts hundreds of participants to walk Lake Wendouree.
The fundraising event for not-for-profit Life's Little Treasures will be held online this year, with participants encouraged to walk a 5km route of their choice with a small group.
Ms Prowse said funding from the event was the main income for the foundation to provide financial assistance, information and resources and support to parents of sick or premature babies.
I think it has been hard for families having a baby when they can't have visitors and things have changed a lot in the hospitals
- Samantha Prowse, Ballarat Walk for Prems coordinator
She said fundraising was particularly important this year as COVID-19 restrictions had created additional challenges for new parents.
"I think it has been hard for families having a baby when they can't have visitors and things have changed a lot in the hospitals," she said.
"It can be scary and it can be long days in hospital without having someone there."
Ms Prowse gave birth to her twin daughters in 2015 at 32 weeks.
She said she did not know about Little Treasure's Foundation at the time, but knowing support was available was so important for thousands of families.
Ms Prowse volunteered to organise the first Ballarat Walk for Prems event in 2017 and it has grown in size and popularity since.
"People have said they were grateful to be able to participate in the walk to give back to the foundation for the help they have received throughout their prem time," she said.
"To have the support of local midwives and the help and promotion we have had through our local hospitals is huge.
"We have even had some families travel to Ballarat for the event from Ararat or Horsham."
Ms Prowse will participate in the Walk for Prems online event on October 25 by walking 5km on the Ballarat Skipton Rail Trail with her family.
Participants can register on the Walk for Prems website and will receive a race bib and walk medal for completing a 5km route of their choosing and recording it on Strava.
A welcome speech, a dove ceremony to remember the lives of babies who have died and other activities will be accessible through an online livestream.
Data shows 48,000 babies are born sick or born before 37 weeks gestation in Australia each year.
Life's Little Treasures provided financial assistance packages, information and resources, meals, sibling colouring packs and ran Facebook connection sessions in the last financial year.
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
