Tiny Sparks Owner Amber Bates
Camera IconTiny Sparks Owner Amber Bates Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d489671d

Tiny Sparks WA deliver 95 christmas quilts to King Edward Memorial Hospital

Victoria RificiWestern Suburbs Weekly

THE Tiny Sparks WA team have delivered 95 volunteer-made Christmas quilts to the King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nurseries.

Tiny Sparks WA, a charity for high-risk pregnancy and babies born sick or premature, has distributed 260 quilts to both metropolitan and regional WA hospitals, just in time for the festive season.

“The quilts help bring some cheer and remind families that lots of people are thinking of them and know it’s a tough time,” Tiny Sparks WA founder Amber Bates said.

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Mrs Bates said her idea to initiate the quilt drive in 2015 stemmed from her experience with eight-year-old son Adison, who spent his first Christmas in KEMH’s Neonatal Unit.

“It was very hard spending Adison’s first Christmas at KEMH, splitting ourselves between our family at home celebrating, and also wanting to enjoy his first Christmas with him whilst he was in hospital,” she said.

“While staff at KEMH do their best to make Christmas a very special time for families, I thought Tiny Sparks could create something unique to give to families for a lasting memory.”

Mrs Bates said a pool of 300 volunteers provided assistance, not only during the quilt drive, but also with other Tiny Spark WA initiatives.

“The quilts and stockings are made by volunteers, collected by us, and are gifted to all of the babies who are spending their first Christmas in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit,” she said.

Mrs Bates said the quilts are handed out by the nursing staff overnight on Christmas Eve so they are waiting for the families when they visit on Christmas Day.