Wear Green for Premmies 2015

Wear Green for Premmies 2015

The annual -Wear Green for Premmies' day, an event hosted by the L'il Aussie Prems Foundation is celebrating their fifth year raising awareness of premature birth in the community. Organisers are looking forward to once again repeat the success of the past four years on Wednesday, 15th April 2015.

Over 25,000 babies are born prematurely in Australia each year and the -Wear Green for Premmies' campaign is a day where thousands of people wear green to show their support. The day raises awareness of premature birth whilst highlighting the trials and hardships that families face after an early arrival. Over the past four years, the event has seen thousands of families joining in the celebration by posting photos on the charity's Facebook page to show a sea of green all in support of babies born too soon. Each year, thousands participate on the day including hospitals, businesses, friends, family and strangers all unite to join the celebration.

L'il Aussie Prems Foundation's Vice President, Ms Andrena Taylor said, the event is a momentous day in raising awareness, sharing stories and starting discussions around premature birth.

'We have gained so much support for our event over the years, it is truly phenomenal. Countless Australians know someone who has been touched by prematurity and the emotional journey parents are faced with, often spending many months travelling to and from hospital whilst their baby receives critical care after birth. Our event is such a simple way for everyone to recognise this personal and unique journey." she said.
'It shows that people are enthusiastic about recognising the issue and social media is allowing the topic to hit mainstream interest."

The event continues to make an impact by enabling the charity to donate equipment to nurseries each year. Over $16,000 has now been donated from part of the proceeds raised since their first event in 2011. The charity will once again support four new nurseries as chosen by their community. King Edward Memorial Hospital, Royal Hobart Hospital, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and Lismore Base Hospital will be the beneficiaries of such support this year.

Participants do not have toattend a physical event, and are invited to join the charity's Facebook page, encourage family, friends and work colleagues to simply wear green, share their story, purchase a wristband and fundraise online to help raise vital funds. The funds raised will enable the charity to continue their important work, to expand on their family focused programs and donate vital equipment to the four chosen hospitals.

The face behind the 2015 campaign is 7 year old Rachel Crowther, born at 24+2 weeks weighing 669 grams.

www.lilaussieprems.org.au