The Newcastle Knights and Bakers Delight have banded together to make a difference to some of the smallest and sickest babies in Northern NSW.
At Easter each year, Bakers Delight holds its 'Bundraiser' campaign, which supports sick kids around the country.
Bakers Delight will again run its Bundraiser Day on Saturday, April 5th, with $1 from every six pack of hot cross buns sold going to a good cause.
In Northern NSW, that support goes to John Hunter Children's Hospital with this year’s funds directed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to purchase lifesaving equipment.
Dr Paul Craven, Neonatologist at John Hunter Children Hospital’s NICU, said support to purchase equipment, like a Biliblanket, makes a significant difference to the treatment of the unit's tiny patients with jaundice.
He explained if newborn babies aren’t treated for jaundice, there's a serious risk of brain damage, and worst-case scenario, death.
“It’s great that we can continue our existing partnership with the Newcastle Knights through the Bakers Delight campaign that will hopefully mean more equipment that’s needed to care for some of the sickest and smallest babies in Northern NSW,” Dr Craven said.
The Knights’ Jeremy Smith was on hand to promote Bakers Delight's fundraising event.
Smith’s family has a very personal connection with the NICU at John Hunter Children’s Hospital.
He and wife Jody’s daughter, Cali, was born 12 weeks premature in September last year weighing a tiny 790 grams.
Cali spent more than 10 weeks in John Hunter Children’s Hospital before she was deemed strong and well enough to be released from hospital just before Christmas.
Smith praised the exceptional care and support given by the NICU during the traumatic and uncertain time.
“I think it’s a great idea by Bakers Delight to raise money for John Hunter Children Hospital’s NICU. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that I suppose you don’t see.
“It’s a fantastic facility,” he said.
The unit cares for more than 1100 newborns annually, including extremely premature infants born as early as 23 weeks gestation, up to term infants with a variety of medical and surgical illnesses.
To support the fundraiser, purchase a six-pack of hot cross buns on April 5 with much needed funds used to assist the lifesaving facility.
In the lead up to the day, donation tins will be available in store for any loose change.
