A decommissioned incubator has become a donation box at Woolworths Dunedin South for the Miracle Month of May, a campaign by charity Little Miracles to raise awareness and funds for sick and premature babies and their families.
Little Miracles Dunedin family support co-ordinator Shelley Gorman said every contribution helped provide essential support to families, including food, fuel and financial relief.
Every year, more than 5000 babies in New Zealand start life in an incubator, cared for in neonatal intensive care units (Nicu) or special care baby units.
Andrea MacAulay’s 7- and 3-year-old daughters were both born prematurely and spent time in Dunedin Hospital’s Nicu.
The experience had been an ‘‘emotional rollercoaster’’.
While Little Miracles was not established in the unit during her first stay, she had welcomed its support during her second stay.
‘‘I needed the support there that I could reach out to.’’
Ms MacAulay said both her daughters had grown into confident, healthy girls.
‘‘We get involved as much as we can with the trust because it is a good organisation for making these kids feel special — they’ve got so far, from when they were born so early.’’
This month, for every participating baby product sold in Woolworths supermarkets, the company would give 5c to the cause.
This year’s fundraising target is $45,000.
