[PHOTOS] Tri-challenge drive to help preemie moms with their challenge
Project4Preemies non-profit organisation was selected to benefit from the three-hour challenge.
For some people, hopping, squatting and jumping around for three hours is a challenge they will most probably only do once a year.
For many mothers who have given birth to premature babies, the most precious time in their lives has turned into a tremendous challenge.
But, every year, Donna Groothedde of Donna’s Health and Fitness, puts together an annual tri-challenge fitness endurance charity drive in aid of a local worthy cause.
This year, the Project4Preemies non-profit organisation was selected to benefit from the three-hour challenge, during which Donna’s clients each donated R150 towards the cause and also took part in three one-hour sessions of cardio-kickboxing, spinning and rebounding (trampoline bouncing) to show their support.
The editor of the Roodepoort Record, Adele Bloem, took part and described it as challenging yet liberating, knowing she was doing it for such a worthy cause.
But the main focus is of course the silent battle each mother of a premature baby is fighting behind the doors of neonatal pediatric units in hospital.
Being a mother of a preemie baby herself and a client of Donna’s, Santie Bothe-Smith decided to do something to help mothers in need.
“I started this organisation with two friends and the first project we would like to do is the crocheted octopuses project,” Santie told the News.
There is an incredible reason why crocheted octopuses can help keep a preemie baby alive. According to https://www.babble.com/parenting/crocheted-octopus-lovies-help-premature-babies, the tentacles of the octopus apparently remind these babies of their umbilical cords, and the soft crocheted bodies of the cuddly creatures are said to remind them of the womb. Visit the above website for more details on this.
Santie said they need funds, not only to buy 100 per cent pure cotton yarn to go towards the crocheting of the little octopus dolls they would like to sell, but also to put together care packages for new preemie moms. People can buy an octopus and donate it to a hospital or keep it for themselves. The octopuses must be made of cotton yarn, not acrylics or wool, so that they can be washed and sterilised repeatedly.
“We have recruited a couple of people who can crochet, but a lot of them are elderly women on a tight budget, so buying yarn is not really an option. So we need donations of cotton yarn to pass on to the people volunteering to crochet.”
With the help of the funds raised at Donna’s tri-challenge, goods and vouchers will be purchased to help make up the care packages.
“The care packages will consist of snacks, preemie baby diapers, petrol vouchers [because travelling to and from hospital for weeks on end takes a toll on your bank account], spa vouchers to help the mother relax as well as informational booklets to help guide the new mom through the daunting process.”
But like any new organisation, a lot more can be done to help and Santie is welcoming any form of it.
To get involved, contact Santie on 082 566 0651 or send an email to santie@jasonsmith.co.za and make the challenges faced by preemie babies and their mums a little easier.
