A Gold Coast organisation that provides vital assistance to sick and premature babies has secured a $20,000 federal grant that will allow the group to continue providing the important service.
Federal Member for McPherson, Karen Andrews, announced today the funding was being made available to the Mothers’ Milk Bank, based at the southern Gold Coast..
“The Mothers’ Milk Bank helps sick newborn babies through their early days by providing donated milk when the mother is unable to feed them and I was pleased to secure the grant to keep the organisation operating,” Mrs Andrews said.
“The group relies heavily on volunteers to provide its vital service to help babies and their mothers and the funding is recognition of the important work they’re doing in our community.”
Mothers’ Milk Bank Director and volunteer, Marea Ryan, says the grant will help them expand their service in hospital neonatal intensive care units.
“Very sick premature babies rely on donated milk to keep them healthy in the very first stage of their young lives and the $20,000 grant the Federal Government is providing will help us maintain the supply,” Ms Ryan said.
“Milk that isn’t used within 24 hours of being defrosted had to be thrown out but a new PA45 pasteuriser will greatly reduce wastage as small volumes of milk may be processed.
“The funding will allow us to us increase use of the pasteuriser and that means we can boost milk production by 50 per cent which is good news for sick babies that need the nourishment of the donated milk.
“We sincerely thank Karen Andrews for her advocacy and support to secure this much needed funding.” Ms Ryan said.
