Some of Bendigo’s youngest residents will have a better start to life thanks to the efforts of one young man.
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Axedale’s Jamie Forder has been going door-to-door at Bendigo businesses asking for donations for a fundraiser he is holding this weekend for drug-withdrawing babies.
The donations will be auctioned off at an event on Sunday, April 9, at Braidies Tavern in Strathfieldsaye, where Mr Forder and two of his mates Luke Owens and Chris Morley will also provide acoustic performances.
“I wanted to do something to give back to the community for those who have supported me,” Mr Forder said.
The 22-year-old, who has autism, cerebral palsy, a hearing impairment and an intellectual disability, said he had received a lot of support from people in his life.
“I’ve had a pretty rough life growing up,” he said. “But I’ve had a lot of support from people in my life.”
Now Mr Forder wants to make a positive difference in the lives of others and raise some money for those who need it most.
“I was just tossing ideas around and I thought, ‘why don’t we do it for the infants because they are probably more in need of it’.”
Proceeds from the day will help some of the babies at Bendigo Health’s Special Care Baby Nursery, going to towards purchasing toys for the babies withdrawing from drugs in the unit.
Stacey Bruggy, the nurse unit manager for the nursery said between six to 12 of these babies were in their care each year.
“It’s not all just related to illegal and illicit drug use – a lot of what we see is women who have been pregnant and taking prescription drugs,” she said.
Ms Bruggy said the babies required special care and were often in the unit for months at a time. Because of this reason, the babies were a lot older than the typical infants in their care, and needed extra support for stimulation.
The money Mr Forder raises on Sunday will go towards purchasing items such as playmats, rockers and mobiles for the babies – items which the unit does not have.
“We’re absolutely excited and felt really privileged that someone of Jamie’s age would consider these babies,” Ms Bruggy said of the fundraiser. “It was just heartwarming.”
She said it was the first fundraiser of its kind for the withdrawing babies in the unit.
“I think it is going to make a real difference to the care we provide.”
![Jamie Forder with his seven-year-old nephew Jackson. Jamie Forder with his seven-year-old nephew Jackson.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/WVXbUp8wXAYTAf74QbhPRe/6e081e51-04ab-4a27-b919-747c72e6b6cc.jpg/r0_0_4928_3198_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Mr Forder hopes it isn’t the last fundraiser he runs either, with ideas already forming for the future.
It’s this caring nature he hopes will land him a job in aged care some time soon.
“I know these babies have had a hard start in life not having any way to release it or get it out,” he said.
“I just wanted to do something nice for them.”
The event is being held at Braidies Tavern, Wellington Road, Strathfieldsaye on Sunday, April 9.
There will be a silent auction and raffle on the day, with performances by Luke Owens, Chris Morley and Mr Forder.
Items have been donated by local businesses including Reilly’s Home Appliances, Abbott Supply, Beacon Lighting, The Body Shop, Strathfieldsaye Bakery, Repco and Autobarn.
If anyone would like to make any last minute donations, they can call Mr Forder on 0458 813 066.
Braidies Tavern will donate a percentage of the sales of meals between 12pm and 2pm towards the fundraiser.