School pupils help the most vulnerable babies

BY REBECCA THOMSON

The birth of a premature baby inspired a group of Thorndon School pupils to donate $200 to Wellington Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit.

Ava Janes, now nine months old, was born 16 weeks premature, weighed just 645 grams and spent four months in Wellington hospital's neonatal unit.

Her brother Jedi, 8, and his classmates raised $200 by selling fruit smoothies as part of a class project. Jedi suggested the class gave the profit to the neonatal unit.

The year 4 and 5 pupils learned about Ava through Jedi, who brought in photos of her and reported on her progress. Mother Rebecca even brought Ava in to see the children.

Teacher Niamh King said the children made the smoothies as part of a World Maths Day project.

"We sold smoothies because it gave the the children a chance to learn about healthy eating options, entrepreneurship, making money and helping the community. Jedi suggested giving the profit to the neonatal unit."

Jedi visited his sister in hospital most days and saw many premature babies in the neonatal unit. "I just wanted to help the babies," he said.

Amy Turner, 9, really liked Jedi's idea of giving money to the unit.

"Sending it to a baby charity is really good. It gives the babies more of a chance to survive. It means the hospital can get more machinery to keep them alive."

Mrs Janes was thrilled her son wanted to help the neonatal unit.

"I thought it was fantastic. He spent so much time there, he knows what it's all about. He saw all the good stuff they did."

Ava still requires extra oxygen, her lungs not being developed at birth, and is attached to an oxygen tank 24 hours a day.

Mrs Janes hoped Ava would be able to breathe on her own by the end of the year.

Wellington's neonatal unit has capacity for 32 babies.

- The Wellingtonian