Donate today and change a child's life
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Dear friend,
Imagine you're expecting a baby, but instead of being filled with joy – you are filled with fear. Terrified out of your mind. And for good reason. You’re only 18. There is no stable family for you to turn to. You don’t have a job – in fact you haven’t even finished school.
This was Ashleigh’s reality. Her nightmare to face. She knew she could be a great mum, but how would she do this on her own? She had nothing to her name – and she couldn’t imagine bringing her baby into the world that way.
“Despite all of those emotions I knew my options and I knew that I wanted to be a mum, no matter how hard it would be. I just didn’t realise how hard and stressful the journey would be.” – Ashleigh
Today we are launching our Festive Appeal for 2023 – to raise much needed funds so Geelong Mums can continue to be there for thousands of vulnerable babies and children right across Victoria. We really appreciate your connection to us and hope that you are able to give a gift today. We need your support to continue to help people in need in your community. People just like Ashleigh.
Ashleigh dropped out of school in Year 12 after leaving foster care. She was in and out of homelessness and trying to survive – going to school every day certainly wasn’t a priority. Things got much more complicated when she found out she was pregnant only a few months later.
This is when Ashleigh says she entered her darkest time. So much was happening to her, and she was all alone. It wasn’t until she was 7 months pregnant that she had somewhere semi-permanent to live – emergency accommodation for young mothers.
“So many people told me I was ruining my life. That a baby would stop me reaching my goals. It only fuelled my determination to be a good mum and prove them wrong.”
This festive season, give a gift that really counts.
Give now and change a child’s life.
I can’t even begin to imagine how Ashleigh was feeling. She must have been terrified about her future. The stress she would have been under – while her baby was still growing inside her – would have been unbearable.
That’s where Geelong Mums stepped in. Because of our amazing supporters just like you, Ashleigh had the practical support that’s vital in those first few years of a child’s life. Geelong Mums was able to provide her with the essentials she desperately needed to bring her baby home and keep him safe, warm, and happy.
Ashleigh simply couldn't afford to buy even the most basic essentials for her newborn baby. Geelong Mums provided her with a pram, nappies, swaddles and a clothing bundle of outfits for the first 12 months of her little boy's life. There are thousands of others, just like Ashleigh, who need help today.
“Without the physical aid of Geelong Mums, I would have struggled…. I felt less alone and like I could do this. Geelong Mums helped us in our darkest time by providing support and needed items which allowed me to focus on my baby and get us back on our feet. Not only so we could survive but actually thrive in our community.”
The stark reality is that there are thousands more new parents and carers just like Ashleigh in local communities all over Victoria. They are struggling and in desperate need of the essential items vital to raising their baby and allowing their children to thrive. Without your support, these babies will, quite simply, miss out.
I hope you will be able to support our Festive Appeal this year – every donation really does help change a child’s life. Please give $59 today – together we can give a gift that really counts at this special time of year.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support,
Ruth Holdaway MBE
Chief Executive Officer
