Sally with daughter Addi.
When Sally Sharman’s daughter, Addi, was born at 25 weeks old, she weighed only 710 grams.
Six years later and Addi is now standing proud alongside her mum to raise awareness for premature babies.
When Addi was born, Sally was unable to hold her daughter, and most of her days were spent sitting beside her humidicrib bed. It was there that she noticed a small plaque on the bed.
“It was donated by Running for Premature Babies,” says Sally.
“I spent a long time sitting there and I said, ‘if we get through this, we will definitely give back.”
The Running for Premature Babies Charity was founded by Sophie Smith in 2006 after she tragically lost her triplet sons, Henry, Jasper and Evan, who were born premature at 24 weeks.
Henry, born at 21 weeks, was born too early for any medical intervention to save him, and only lived for one hour. Henry’s brothers, Jasper and Evan, were born at 24 weeks. At the time Sophie was preparing to give birth, she was told there was a severe shortage of NICU beds available in Sydney. As such, Sophie’s boys might be separated and transported interstate.
Thankfully, when Sophie gave birth three days later, two beds had opened up.
Tragically, both Jasper and Evan passed away at 10 days old and 58 days old respectively.
While in hospital, Sophie and her husband, Ash, came to realise that most of the machines that the boys had been using were donated. Most hospitals rely on fundraising for approximately 70 percent of the equipment within the NICU.
From here, Sophie and Ash vowed to run one Half Marathon in a quest to raise money for a new humidicrib for the hospital (valued at approximately $20,000) in memory of her three boys.
To date, the Running for Premature Babies Foundation has raised more than $12 million for neonatal equipment and research and donated more than 172 pieces of equipment.
This extraordinary effort has helped save the lives of more than 21,000 babies, including Addi.
Ever since Addi was born, Sally says they have fundraised for the charity every year.
“Addi was born in June, so the following November, we did the premie marathon, which was 21 kilometres over the month of November, and every year since then, we’ve done a virtual fun run,” she says.
“Addi’s raised money every year, and she’s run my parents’ six-acre property in Harden.
“This year, we’ll be travelling up to Sydney, and she’ll be doing the other five-kilometre mini marathon with the charity.”
This year also marks the largest total Addi and Sally have been able to fundraise for the charity.
“We’re not too far off of $6,000 this year,” says Sally.
Sally and Addi have been raising funds through raffle tickets and wood piles from the local Woolies, and Sally, who only just moved her family to Cootamundra recently, says she couldn’t be more grateful of the support she has received from the community.
“So many amazing local businesses have donated vouchers and other stuff, and it’s been an overwhelming sense of community to see so many people getting behind [Addi],” says Sally.
Their collective fundraising efforts have also encouraged conversations within the community, and Sally says she is grateful to have her daughter beside her.
“Addi was born during COVID, and my husband and I weren’t even allowed in the room at the same time,” she says.
“She was five and a half months old before she met any family.”
Addi was already three months old before her family of three were able to be together again and had already experienced several big things in hospital, including laser eye surgery.
“The amount of people, machines and cords it took to mover her was mind blowing,” says Sally.
“It’s mind-blowing to see what it takes to help the babies and I think anything we can do to help any hospital, any NICU, any little baby, it all makes such a difference to the family.”
At six-years-old, Addi already has a bigger grasp on the importance of the NICU than most adults.
“She understands she was really little and she was in hospital… she understands that she wears her purple shirt and she raises money for the little babies in the hospital,” says Sally.
“That’s something we’ve always wanted to instil in her, to give back and help people, because she is still so supported and cared for.
“We want to make sure she continues to do that as well.”
Prior to Addi, Sally says she never would’ve known just how much went into supporting the families and babies within the NICU.
“You just don’t fathom how much foes into the support the babies need, the round-the-clock care by speciality nurses and doctors. They’re really incredible,” she says.
“Until you walk into it, you just can’t grasp it.”
Addi is now busy getting ready for her exciting walk on Saturday, 29 August at the TCS Sydney Mini Marathon.
“She’ll be out there, doing her best, and she’s already said I’ll have to carry her for a bit,” says Sally.
“But that’s okay because I think to have us cross that finish line together and see where we started to where we are now is something I’m so excited for, because I’m so proud of her.”
Addi and Sally have raised almost $20,000 dollars over six years of fundraising, and Sally says it’s incredible to see their journey come full circle.
“From where we were to where we are, the amount of people that have tallied and supported [Addi] from the beginning [is amazing],” she says.
“As a mum, it’s an overwhelming sense of pride and I’m so grateful for everyone who still supports and rallies behind her to do these things.
“She wouldn’t be the kid she is without everyone around her.”
Although Sally and her family have only recently moved to Cootamundra two years ago, she says they were instantly welcomed and embraced by the community who have gone above and beyond to support the cause.
“It was beautiful in the way that no one hesitated to support Addi, and that’s just what makes Cootamundra even more special,” she says.
“People are just so kind here.”
To support Addi on her big run, or to donate to the cause, visit https://www.runningforprematurebabies.com/fundraiser/sallyjohnston/tcs-sydney-mini-marathon–addis-5km-marathon
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