Frequently Asked Questions

Light a Lantern is a Chinese New Year fundraising challenge by Running for Premature Babies.

Participants walk 8,000 steps each day for 16 days, raise funds through their personal page, and help provide life-saving neonatal equipment for premature babies across Australia.

As supporters donate and participants reach fundraising milestones, symbolic lanterns light up online and personalised Lanterns of Love and Good Fortune are displayed at Bondi Junction to recognise their impact.

Anyone can take part by walking, fundraising, or making a direct donation to help give premature babies the best possible start in life.

We welcome participants from all over the world, and our fundraising platform is able to be used anywhere. Invite your friends and family to join you in Lighting Lanterns!

To join the Light a Lantern Challenge, click Register Now on this page and follow the prompts to create your account.

If you’ve previously fundraised with Running for Premature Babies, you can log in using your existing details. If you’re new, registration only takes a few minutes.

Once registered, you’ll receive your own personal fundraising page where you can:

• Track your daily steps

• Share your page with supporters

• Receive donations

• View your lantern badges and milestones

You can start walking, fundraising, and inviting supporters straight away.

No, registration for the Light a Lantern Challenge is completely free.

You can sign up, create your fundraising page, and start tracking your 8,000 daily steps at no cost.

There is no minimum amount required to participate. However, as you raise funds through your page, you’ll work toward key milestones:

• $88 to receive a personalised Lantern of Love

• $888 to receive a Lantern of Good Fortune with prominent display

Reaching these milestones unlocks physical lanterns displayed at Bondi Junction and mailed to you after the campaign.

All funds raised help provide life-saving neonatal equipment, including humidicribs and ventilators, for hospitals across Australia.

Every step you take and every dollar raised helps give premature babies the best possible start in life.

Yes, when you reach certain fundraising milestones, you’ll receive a personalised physical lantern as part of the Light a Lantern Challenge.

Participants who fundraise through the 8,000 Steps Challenge can unlock:

$88 – Lantern of Love
A small personalised lantern displayed at the Wall of Love and Good Fortune at Bondi Junction and mailed to you after the campaign.

$888 – Lantern of Good Fortune
A large personalised lantern with prominent placement on the wall and a mailed keepsake.

If you choose to make a direct donation without registering, you will not receive a physical lantern, but your gift will still help fund life-saving neonatal equipment for premature babies.

Every lantern represents the steps taken, funds raised, and lives supported through this campaign.

Lanterns symbolise hope, protection, and good fortune, especially during Chinese New Year.

In the Light a Lantern Challenge, each lantern represents the steps taken, funds raised, and support given to premature babies and their families.

As participants complete their daily walks and reach fundraising milestones, their lanterns light up online and appear on the Bondi Junction display, turning individual efforts into a shared message of care and encouragement.

Together, these lanterns reflect wishes for strength, healing, and brighter beginnings for babies born too soon.

When you register for the Light a Lantern Challenge, you’ll receive your own personal fundraising page.

You can share this page with family, friends, and colleagues to invite them to donate and support your 8,000 Steps Challenge.

All donations made through your page are automatically added to your total and help you:

• Fund life-saving neonatal equipment

• Track your progress in real time

• Unlock lantern milestones at $88 and $888

• Work toward having your personalised lantern displayed at Bondi Junction

You can view your fundraising progress, donations, and achievements anytime through your dashboard.

In Light a Lantern, the numbers 88 and 888 represent key fundraising milestones inspired by Chinese culture, where 8 symbolises good fortune and prosperity.

When you reach:

• $88, you unlock a Lantern of Love
• $888, you unlock a Lantern of Good Fortune

These milestones recognise your impact, unlock physical lantern rewards, and help fund life-saving neonatal equipment for premature babies.

No, there is no minimum amount required to take part in the Light a Lantern Challenge.

You can register, walk, and fundraise at your own pace, and every donation you receive helps support premature babies.

As you raise funds, you can also work toward special milestones:

• $88 to unlock a Lantern of Love
• $888 to unlock a Lantern of Good Fortune

These milestones allow you to receive a personalised physical lantern displayed at Bondi Junction and mailed to you after the campaign.

Every dollar raised helps fund life-saving neonatal equipment and gives premature babies the best possible start in life.

You are welcome to fund your own challenge if you choose.

Some participants make a personal donation to reach their fundraising milestones, while others prefer to share their page and invite family, friends, and colleagues to support them.

Both approaches are completely fine and equally valued.

Whether your fundraising comes from your own gift, your community, or a combination of both, every dollar raised helps fund life-saving neonatal equipment for premature babies and supports families in need.

All funds raised through Light a Lantern support Running for Premature Babies in providing life-saving neonatal equipment, such as humidicribs, ventilators, and resuscitation cots, to hospitals across Australia.

Yes. You can share your lantern in any way that feels comfortable, including WeChat, WhatsApp, email, or direct messages. Sharing within family and community groups is encouraged.

A Facebook Fundraiser is a great way to fundraise in addition to sharing your fundraising page through email. We've made it super-easy to set one up. Click here to get started.

Yes, all donations of $2 or more are tax deductible for Australian tax payers. 

Your supporters will automatically receive a tax receipt via email, when they make a donation online using your fundraising page. If you make a donation to kick start your fundraising when you register, the tax receipt will be in your welcome email that will be sent to you as soon as you register.

Yes! You can donate on any participant's fundraising page or make a general donation here.

Yes. Businesses, families, and community groups are welcome to light lanterns together and share the campaign within their networks.

No. Light a Lantern is an online fundraising campaign that you can take part in from anywhere.

Participants can create a personal fundraising page, make a donation, and invite family and friends to support their challenge. You can take part from home, at work, or wherever you are, while helping fund life-saving neonatal equipment for premature babies.

No. You can take part in any way that feels comfortable, by donating, sharing with family and friends privately, or simply lighting a lantern yourself.

Email us at hello@runningforprematurebabies.com or click here for more options to get in touch