PADDLE FOR PREMS
On Australia Day 2023, we will complete a half marathon 21km (on stand up paddle boards down the Murrumbidgee river) to raise much needed funds for ‘Running for Premature Babies Foundation.’
This wonderful foundation purchases life-saving neonatal equipment and funds groundbreaking research that give critically ill and premature babies a better chance of survival.
We know quite a lot about this equipment as on December 7th 2021 we welcomed our son Oscar at 28 weeks. For eight weeks our beautiful boy relied on the incredible staff and life saving equipment in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children in Canberra and for another two weeks in the Special Care Nursery at the Griffith Hospital.
Our goal is to raise $50,000 to provide more urgently needed and vital equipment for both of these wonderful hospitals.
My husband and I are not naturally gifted athletes… but like our son did in those first 10 weeks of his life, we will fight, persevere and go from strength to strength with our training to help us achieve our goal!
We are based in a remote location of NSW and for months we were over 500km from home.
Hopefully this equipment could mean that one day a family in a similar situation may have further options to be able to stay closer to home rather than an immediate transfer to a larger centre.
We greatly appreciate any support offered & thank you for making a tax deductible donation for this amazing cause
We will see you on the mighty Murrumbidgee!
Sheila and Grant x
My Updates
- Australia Day -
We are so thrilled to have completed our 'Paddle for Prems!'
We set off early on Thursday morning and paddled our hearts out for the beautiful premature babies that have been, the ones that left us too soon and the future prems to come.
We completed the half marathon in just under 4 hours and loved every minute of it.
Thankyou to the Griffith Base Hospital and the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children - Canberra for taking care of us in our time of need and we are thrilled to be able to give back to the NICU and special care nurseries at these hospitals.
We are overwhelmed with the support from friends, family, clients, suppliers, local businesses & families and strangers. Again, thank you very much for your donations and messages.
Grant and Sheila x
Australia Day Paddle!!
Our original plan was to complete our Half-marathon paddle on the 7th December 2022 however due to flooding this has now been reset for the 26th January 2023.Thank you to my Sponsors
$5.02k
Alison Nash
$1.52k
Lugsdin Toyota
$1.5k
The Hay Community Health Trust
$1.02k
Darcy And Perri Volz
Good luck with the paddle, Looking forward to cheering you on from the riverbank.
$1.02k
Mary & Wig Ryan
$1.02k
Michaela Cangelli
$1.02k
Mel Mcdonald
So proud of you all.
$1.02k
Kelly Healey
What a wonderful cause. Well done!!!!!
$1,000
Casella Family Brands
$1,000
Dorothy M
My grand daughter was nearly six weeks prem and my daughter was living near Griffith and had to be transferred away from home at this time. We fully understand how important this cause is. Well done :-)
$875
Sally Smith
Go Shee &G
$570
Ed N Eddie
GOOD LUCK
$520
Elliott Clarke
Good Luck Sheila & Grant!!!
$520
Murray & Emma Scholz
A great cause!
$520
Ovens Junction Pastoral Co Pty Ltd
Well done Sheila & Grant! My boy too was prem by 7 weeks. Wishing you all the best for the paddle. Warm regards, Bronwyn.
$520
Hamish
Hope your going downstream! Great thing to to do.
$520
Blinds By Peter Meyer
Such an awesome adventure and what a wonderful cause! We wish you all the best for the crazy journey ahead! All the best from the team at Blinds by Peter Meyer, cheers Simon
$520
Anonymous
$500
Vicki Ireson
$500
Sheila Smith
$500
Mary Ellis
Great work!!
$500
Tiento
All the best Sheila and team. Happy birthday to Oscar. You are one lucky boy!
$500
Terra Ag
$500
Griffith City Volkswagen
$500
Clint Berry
$500
Poppy Lyne
A very worthwhile cause. Good luck !
$500
The Textile Company
Best of luck Sheila and Grant. What a great cause!
$316.50
Wes Volz
$300
John And Susie Wallace
Best of luck for the paddle tomorrow, what a momentous effort. Oscar is a lucky boy to have you two as his parents. Well done team.
$300
Richard, Sarah, Skye, Henry, Tom & Sophie Cannon
Well Done Sheila & Grant!! Great cause! Look forward to celebrating at the finish line!!!
$300
Hay Services Club
Well done Sheila and Grant on all your efforts towards a great cause!
$300
Pete And Liv Harding
Go shanks and Grunta!
$263.75
Lynn Clark
$263.75
Mel & Paddy
Paddle power! You’ll be at the finish line before you know it.
$263.75
F + N Maynard
Happy paddling, we'll wave + give sustenance as you pass.
$263.75
Cromwell
$263.75
Circa Ad Jewels
Good luck guys … a wonderful idea and obviously a great cause
$250
Lou And Tris
Just Awesome!! Love you guys xx
$232.10
Janet & Charlotte Low
$232.10
Duncan & Louise Fraser
Well done Sheila and Grant. Amazing effort!
$232.10
Joyce & Ian Clark
Good luck with the paddle and reaching your tally Goal
$220
Boyd Blue
You're such an inspiration, good luck in achieving your goal All the Team at Boyd Blue
$211
Anne Milliken
$211
Cindy And Steven Scott
Amazing effort and best of luck!
$211
Emma Bruckner
We love you Oscar! Go She and G!! Love Emma, Heath, John and Alice xxx
$211
Anonymous
$211
Bill & Catia Lenehan
Happy paddling and all the best!
$211
Houston Family
Paddle like champions!!
$211
Sarah King
$211
The Ten Mile Holbrook
$211
Sam, Katrina, Grace And Rupert Christensen
Good luck legends
$211
George & Jess Commins
Beautiful work! Such a great cause. Good luck tomorrow x
$211
James And Kärt Harvey
$211
Low Family
Good luck team She & G!
$211
Sarah Houston
Thank you so much for including me on this wonderful adventure! It was an absolute honour! So proud of team Oscar! Xo
$211
Lucinda Kimpton
Champions!!!
$211
Lynne Shirley Schiller
$211
Jennifer Ellis
$211
Cox Family
Just keep paddling xxxxxx
$211
Sean And Lauren Ohara
$211
Tom Mornement
What a team 🙌🙌 xo
$211
Hamish And Claire Cormack
$211
The Weedings
Sup guys 🤙🏼
$211
Kelly & Kee
Sending lots of love, hugs and a whole lot of energy for the big paddle! Incredible effort in every aspect. GO TEAM!
$211
Jum, Dim, Wal & Max Smith
All the best with the paddle.
$211
John & Anna Bull
Good luck Grant & She. Great cause x
$211
Anonymous
$211
Tom & Kate
What a fantastic effort!
$211
Schiller Family
Amazing team Volz. We couldn’t be prouder. Good luck for the big paddle. Xx
$211
Jai Jai. Upholstery Artisans
$211
Annabelle And Willy Morrison
I’m sending up the budgie smugglers for G! Incredible effort for a truly wonderful cause.
$211
Luke Anthony Harrison
$211
Alice Maloney
Good luck guys!
$211
Cam Farrell
Great initiative!
$211
Rachael Crossley
Good luck Sheila and Grant
$211
Jane And David Porter
A terrific effort Sheila and Grant for a wonderful cause.
$211
Richard Stevens
Good on you legends!
$200
Martin
$200
Weatherly’s
Well done guys! Massive effort!
$200
Dg Harrison Engineering Pty Ltd (hay)
$200
Two Billy Buttons
$200
Sar And Gerald Grogan
Go team! Such an important cause. Well done. Plenty of photos please and no jet skis Sheila…
$200
Peter And Nicola Lawrence
$200
David And Colleen Houston
$200
Camilla Molders
$200
Hufton Fam
$200
Jock And Amy Fowler
Amazing stuff guys!! Happy paddling 💪🥰
$200
The Spot In Hay
So happy to support such a great cause . Have fun Paddling😊
$200
Pat & Ell
Good Luck & Well done.
$200
Sal Crooke
$158.25
Caz, Matt, Penny And Alice
Go She and G! Love Caz, Matt, Penny and Alice xx
$158.25
Hay Bowling And Golf Club
$158.25
Kirsten Middleton
$158.25
Jo Delia
Good luck Sheila and Grant. xxxx
$158.25
Sarah Mcphee Interiors
Cheering you on Sheila and Grant! xx
$158.25
Tom & Hils
Well done team!
$150
Mal & Louise Hufton
$131.88
Anonymous
Great effort for a very worthy cause, enjoy
$131.88
Domus Textiles
$131.88
Anonymous
$131.88
Sally Smith
Go paddling Shee & G!
$131.88
Anna Louise Ryan
GOOD LUCK SHEILA AND GRANT- SUCH A WONDERFUL CAUSE. XX
$125
Janet Low
$105.50
Sam And Nicholas Harrison
Well done Sheila and Grant! Wishing you all the best with the half marathon.
$105.50
Dixon Family
$105.50
Kiara & Dean Salvestro
All the best Sheila & Grant! An amazing cause 👏👏👏
$105.50
Trine N Ruskin
All the best 💪 lots of cheering from Jugiong xoxoxo
$105.50
On The Go Espresso
Paddle hard ! What a great cause see you at the finish line xx
$105.50
Catherine Marshall
You are making such a difference for these Prem babies. Good Luck!
$105.50
Eloise
$105.50
Ellis Family
$105.50
Genevieve O'hare
Fantastic work, hope the paddle goes well and is a lot of fun!! Paddle hard Sal 😀
$105.50
Phil Wilson
Well Done
$105.50
Christina Pilkington
Fantastic cause - best of luck with the paddle!
$105.50
Cass And Dan Clarke
Good luck for the big paddle guys! Oscar us so lucky to have such amazing parents xx
$105.50
Tom And Alex Heggaton
$105.50
Skye Stuart
So proud of you all! Prince Oscar is just amazing, sending so much love xoxo
$105.50
Emma Curtin
Great job team! I hope it all goes really well! Xx
$105.50
Charlie And Leah Wythes
Congratulations on your mammoth effort!
$105.50
Pauleen & Chris Head
Best of Luck Grant and Sheila. Lots of love, the Head family Xxx
$105.50
Bing And Buck
You’ve got the funk 👏👏👏
$105.50
Charlotte Low
Congrats Sheila & Grant
$105.50
Bridget Campbell
$105.50
Janie Snow
For all the beautiful babies, awesome awesome. Good luck Shelia Grant and all those participating
$105.50
Ian Frood Pty Ltd
$105.50
Bill & Jenny Sheaffe
$105.50
Anna And Alex Duff
A wonderful foundation doing a great job
$105.50
John, Annabel, Sandy, Georgie And Lucy Ryan
Amazing work Sheils and Grant and such a worthy cause! Well done! X
$105.50
Anneliese Bell
$105.50
Jack & Sibyl Hooke
Lots of love and encouragement
$105.50
Susie Sherratt
$105.50
Johnston Family
Super strong team best wishes
$105.50
Dickie & Georgie Selman
You don’t need it but good luck!
$105.50
Ben Doak
$105.50
Emily Barber
Good luck! Already shown incredible strength , you’ll nail the paddle Wonderful cause Em and Barb’s x
$105.50
Mitch Salvestro And Family
All the best, and a big HAPPY 1st birthday to your warrior !!
$105.50
Rowena Milliken
$105.50
Jennifer Gill Design
$105.50
The Lapraiks
Best of luck for the paddle and congratulations again on my our beautiful boy
$105.50
Thorns
Go you good things xx
$105.50
Pip And Bill
Have a wonderful day on the 9th Dec x
$105.50
Clem Finn And William
Well done Sheila and Grant, Oscar is a superstar and can’t wait to visit in Hay! Lots of love and great efforts.
$105.50
Amanda Moloney
$105.50
Bec Hunt
$105.50
Cathy Goodwin
Brilliant- my eldest daughter was in the NICU Canberra many years ago ( she’s just become a mum herself) They were wonderful and gave her the best start in life❤️
$105.50
Jacqui Snow
Happy paddling you two! Love the Snows
$105.50
Peter + Phoebe Sceresini
Just keep paddling!
$105.50
Pia And Ross Smillie
$105.50
Helen Morphett
Good luck Sheila and Grant with your half marathon.
$105.50
Top Harvey
$105.50
Gianni Merlo
$105.50
Portia
A very worthwhile cause. Good luck with the paddle!
$105.50
Foodie Friends
Well done Sheila and Grant !
$100
Jac And Rd Davies
$100
Nerida And Neville
Great effort, will be so beneficial for other babies.
$100
Lize & Jack Eastman
Awesome effort Sheils & Grant. Sorry we can’t be there on the finish line for the celebration. Enjoy the paddle!! X
$100
Emma
Love you legends, so inspirational and what incredible parents!
$100
Fiona Middleton
Good luck
$100
Andy Harvey
$100
Meredith Elliott
You’re amazing!!! What a huge effort Xx
$100
Hay Resident
From a Hay Resident
$100
Simon, Anna And Mabel Dennis
Good work Oscar’s mum and dad! (Go Kermit!) Mabel Dennis Xxx
$100
Adrian, Fleur & Sybil
All the best for the paddle Grant and Sheila! Such an important foundation for these special babies!
$100
Bel, Deno, Lily And Ru Bainger
Well done to the three of you - can’t wait to hear how you get on xxx
$100
Jen And Jackson
$100
Sheila Smith
$100
Alice And Landy
$80
Abby Irwin
Go for gold Sheila and Grant, you’re awesome!!!
$75
Wendy Harvey
$68.58
Deirdre Douglas-leijten
Fantastic initiative Sheila! Good luck with all the training! Love & cuddles to Oscar
$68.58
Watts Tripping Electrical
$63.30
Sue
Well done S & G
$58.03
Donna Herden
$58.03
Jon Meys
$52.75
Kellie Penfold
$52.75
Stephanie Andrews
All the best Sheila and Grant! Happy paddling x
$52.75
Sarah Rae
May your arms (and the current) be strong 💪 Awesome effort Team Volz-Smith!
$52.75
Tim Crooke
$52.75
Lisa Burnham
Good luck team. An incredible cause xx
$52.75
Georgie Macneil
Awesome effort!
$52.75
Ellie Caldwell
Go Shelia and Sal! Great cause. You should wear your orange number Sal!!
$52.75
Kate Brow
Amazing cause!
$52.75
Emma
All the very best ❤️
$52.75
Kade Brown & Oliver Davis
Go you good things. Wonderful cause x
$52.75
Gsston Family
$52.75
Tiff Rogers
$52.75
Tracy Jubb
$52.75
Rachael Lenehan
$52.75
Sophie And Manning Doughty
Go get ‘em!! Hope you’ve had your weetbix!
$52.75
Jack Heslin
$52.75
Natalina Quarisa
What a wonderful cause. Inspirational.
$52.75
Anonymous
$52.75
Emma Bowman
Such a fabulous initiative! Oscar and the Hay community would be particularly proud of you. Top stuff Sheila and Grant xx
$52.75
Daisy
You’re wonderful creatures and this is a wonderful thing and I wish I could come and cheer you on and then twirl you around! Much love xxx
$52.75
Margaret Gleeson
Great cause!
$52.75
Sarah & Sam
Strongest team of 3 I know!
$52.75
Bec Bunyan
Amazing work!
$52.75
Tom & Sarah Hooke
A very worthy cause. Best of luck for the paddle!
$52.75
Renee Flood
$52.75
Brent
Best of luck!🖤✌🏻
$52.75
Carol Hartup
A wonderful cause. Good luck.
$52.75
Gerard And Michelle
Best of luck guys 👍🏼
$52.75
Andrea Rawlinson
$52.75
Michelle Spence
$52.75
Camilla Pearce
Onya Sheils and Grant!! Incredible efforts xxx
$52.75
Phoebe Bull
Love to support such a wonderful cause
$52.75
Nellie
$52.75
The Jenkins
Oscar is a lucky boy. Great work and good luck guys ox
$52.75
Julia Watt
Amazing cause! Well done Sheils and Grant and thank you for sharing your experience. So glad Oscar was able to receive this incredible care. Much love to you all xx
$52.75
The Perkins Family
What a moving video of your special little man Oscar! Good on you guys for rallying and paddling for a great cause. Xx
$52.75
Victoria Gatacre
Good luck !
$52.75
Helen & Greg Rogers
$52.75
Georgina Low
$52.75
Fiona Mckenzie
Love from Prim’s mum Fiona
$52.75
Anonymous
Paddle for Prems
$50
Murray Fam
$50
Carrington, Couch & The Minis
Incredible initiative Legends xx
$50
Chloe Burgess
Go Sheila!!
$50
The Sandow Family
Happy Paddling! What a way to give back xx
$32.71
Anonymous
$31.65
Chelsea Wilson
All the best with your paddle! What an amazing charity and such special and important equipment, it is so so needed. Oscar is very lucky!
$26.38
Von & Mike Cannon
Enjoy the paddle and grab some Yabs on the way.
$26.38
David & Lizzie Crooke
Well paddled Sally
$26.38
Hay Services Club
Hope this extra helps reach your goal!!
$21.10
Emma Muller
$21.10
Anonymous
$21.10
Carol Van Berkel
$21.10
Brooke Matheson
$21.10
Anonymous
$21.10
Cliff Butt
Hope you have fun and raise lot's of money
$21.10
Jen Clark
Good luck guys! You rock!
$21.10
Edwina Affleck
$21.10
Anonymous
$21.10
Jess B
Such a great cause! Well done
$20
Elyse Montgomery
$20
Melissa Lofts
Thank you for all your efforts x
$20
Daisy Armstrong
$10.55
Ven Monte
Goodluck hope you raise lots of money for a worthy cause.
$5
Paddle power to Sheila&Grant