IT is difficult to calculate the number of babies who are alive today because of the efforts of Orange volunteer group the Premi-Babes Association. The hardworking group is made up of just a handful of women and men who put in countless hours selling raffle tickets, inspired by a previous experiences with premature babies born into their families.
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This week, during Volunteers Week, premi-babes volunteers visited Orange Base Hospital to view two new pieces of vital equipment for babies and mothers, provided at a cost of $20,000.
That is a lot of hours, and countless raffle tickets.
Staff at Orange Base Hospital maternity unit has already started using the equipment for sick babies or expectant mothers.
The first is a cardiotocography (CTG) machine which can monitor the heart beat of two babies at a time in the cases of multiple birth is now been put in to operation in the maternity unit.
The second piece of equipment is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine which instead of taking over the breathing process like a ventilator, actually works as a support to a baby who can breathe on it’s own.
The CPAP machine is less invasive and unlike a ventilator where a tube has to be put down a baby’s throat, the new piece of equipment has a breathing apparatus which fits into a little cap which is placed on the baby’s head and two prongs are placed in the nose of the baby to support its breathing.
Orange’s Premi-Babes Association is looking for new members to help support fundraising.
“Most of the members are older people and so we would really love it if some young people who have had premature babies here in Orange could come forward to give us a hand,” said long-term member Paulette Cox. “None of us are getting any younger.”
Elaine Hinchcliffe who has been a hard worker for the organisation for many years says selling raffle tickets is still a great way to raise money.
“People are really good and rarely refuse us. Often they give us a donation even if they don’t want to buy a ticket,” said Mrs Hinchcliffe.
Fellow member Doug McFarlane said the group was appreciative of the space they are given by local businesses to try and raise funds.
Since the group was formed more than three decades ago hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment has been donated to the maternity unit at Orange Base Hospital.
With humidicrib models continuously being updated as new technology is introduced, group members say their fundraising has to continue.
“We’ve started holding barbecues outside Bunnings and we are booked in for six times this year,” Mr McFarlane said.
“They are a great success, but we need more helpers.
“We really would love some more people to just put their hand up to help us,” said his wife and fellow member Margaret McFarlane.
On Monday the group’s president Kate Maloy-Armitt and the small band of volunteers Joyce Fitzgerald, Carol Cornish, Elaine Hinchcliffe, Paulette Cox, Kerry Ayton and Doug and Margaret McFarlane were invited to Orange Base Hospital for a demonstration of the new equipment, provided as a result of their efforts.
“This is wonderful equipment and we are really grateful,” said acting maternity unit manager Jenny Soar. “This type of equipment enables us to provide the support to babies so they don’t have to be flown to Sydney,” she said. Please call Mrs McFarlane on 6362 1281 if you can help volunteer for this important organisation.
