Launceston community shows care to NICU mums

Kelly Brown and Auxiliary-Lieutenant Roderick Brown with hospital staff and the gift packs. Image: Supplied

BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE

Launceston Corps in Tasmania recently donated gift packs to women with babies receiving care at Launceston General Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The corps delivered 20 packs in total, packed by the students from Scotch Oakburn College, a Launceston school that regularly supports the work of The Salvation Army.

The packs included self-care items such as nail care sets, toothbrushes and toothpaste, moisturiser and hand sanitiser, as well as $20 vouchers to a nearby cafe. Launceston Corps Ministry Assistant Kelly Brown came up with the idea for the packs while volunteering with Salvation Army Emergency Services teams following flooding in Townsville.

Kelly said she was trying to think of who in the community might be facing difficult circumstances who the corps could reach out to support, and mothers with babies in hospital came to mind.

“It was lovely to be able to deliver some gift packs to the Neonatal Paediatric ICU at the LGH,” the corps leaders said in their Facebook post. “These gift packs are a simple expression of care for mothers and families with babies needing neonatal care at this time, and have been provided through the generous giving of the Launceston community.

“A shout out to the amazing team of health professionals who work in this unit and are supporting members of our community through the times when this critical care is needed.”