Premature babies twelve years on: the kids that inspired Life’s Little Treasures Foundation

WHEN these grade sixers were born 12 years ago, they tipped the scales at combined 4.3kg.

The premature births of five Melbourne babies led to the creation of Life's Little Treasures a decade ago. The charity has since supported thousands of families with premature babies. Former prem babies now 12 year olds Molly-Rose Morris, Elysse Webb, Hannah Byrne, Zac Webb and Luke Harrington. Picture: David Caird.

WHEN these grade sixers were born 12 years ago, they tipped the scales at 4.3kg. Combined.

Each born prematurely, they faced life-and-death battles in their first few months.

But not only did they survive, they inspired the creation of Life’s Little Treasures Foundation — a charity that has since supported more than 40,000 families with premature babies across Australia.

Luke Harrington, Molly-Rose Morris, Hannah Byrne, and twins Zac and Elysse Webb were born within five weeks of each other at the Royal Women’s Hospital.

Zac and his five friends weighed a combined 4.3kg at birth.

When their mothers bonded in hospital and found there was little support for “premmie” families, they decided to act.

“A normal mothers’ group doesn’t really provide the kind of support you need, so we set up our own,” said foundation co-founder and director, and Luke’s mother, Parool Shah.

A decade on, Life’s Little Treasures Foundation is a registered charity working with families in 78 hospitals across the country.

For the mums involved, watching the charity grow has been a thrill second only to seeing their children thrive.

“At the start of Molly-Rose’s journey, we didn’t know how such a small thing could survive everything that was happening to her,” said Shusannah Morris, foundation co-founder and chief executive. “To see her now is a pure joy.”

Luke, Molly-Rose, Hannah, Zac and Elysse will reunite for the foundation’s Walk for Prems, to be held at Albert Park on ­October 25. Online registrations close on Saturday.

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More information:

walkforprems.org.au