Dr Andy Gill and Rishelle Hume AM will be two of the Perthonalities taking part in the Helping Little Hands “jail and bail” event.
Camera IconDr Andy Gill and Rishelle Hume AM will be two of the Perthonalities taking part in the Helping Little Hands “jail and bail” event. Credit: Supplied/Mal Bruce

Helping Little Hands: Perthonalities get on board to help premature babies

Jessica WarrinerEastern Reporter

A PLETHORA of Perthonalities are coming together to raise money for families with babies in intensive care.

Helping Little Hands has organised a “jail and bail” event on November 22 starring the likes of Jack Darling, Rishelle Hume and Mel Marsh, with the aim of raising money for a special video camera system in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at King Edward Memorial Hospital.

Co-founder Kate Crassweller said Helping Little Hands’ fundraising committee knew first hand the challenge of developing and nurturing a child and parent bond in a clinical setting, and the feelings of guilt and anxiety that came with both leaving siblings at home and leaving a baby in the NICU.

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“There are real and daily challenges faced by the premature birth of a child,” she said.

“A video camera system would support a greater level of family connectedness, allow siblings to share in moments with the new baby, reduce parental anxiety and stress and in turn support higher levels of breast milk production.”

Mrs Crassweller said webcam technology was operating successfully in hospitals around the world, with an encrypted live-stream allowing parents to log in and see their baby at any time of day.

“Our goal is to raise at least $115,000 to set up cameras on 32 intensive care cribs,” she said.

“In a unit where sibling visitation is completely prohibited and where families are cared for from across the state, a system allowing virtual visitation helps overcome a variety of barriers.”

The “prisoners” for the fundraising event will be arrested and brought to Optus Stadium on Thursday, with a cocktail event after the final calls for bail.

To donate and assist Helping Little Hands, head to mycause.com.au/events/jailnbail.