It’s all about the babies this Sunday when the annual Cairns Pregnancy and Baby Expo takes over the Cairns Pullman International Hotel.
More than 60 stalls of everything related to babies from nappies to strollers to pre-birth gender scans, baby massage, baby swim classes, clothes and everything in between will be on display.
And not only is the Expo an amazing one-stop-shop, but proceeds go to supporting sick babies in hospital.
Coordinator Alison Cupitt has raised more than $13,000 in the past four years of hosting the event, with funds going to Cairns Hospital’s Special Care Nursery via the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.
Numerous raffles and prizes are sold throughout the day, with one of last year’s prize winners surprised when their newborn baby actually ended up in the Special Care Nursery (SCN).
Mum Kristy Schuler went into labour at 37 weeks and baby Aurora spent about five days in the SCN with jaundice, low blood sugar and difficulty maintaining her temperature.
Ironically, funds raised at the 2019 Baby Expo went towards CosyTherms – special mattresses that help keep a baby warm.
“Everyone was just so wonderful and supportive of us and when we were in the Special Care Nursery, we felt really connected knowing we had bought raffle tickets and supported the event that actually ended up supporting us,” Mrs Schuler said.
“I couldn’t recommend them highly enough and I’m really grateful to all the team in maternity and SCN for all their support of us,” she said.
*The Expo will be at the Pullman Cairns International on Sunday, February 23 from 10am-3pm. Entry by gold coin donation.
Photo: Aurora Schuler enjoys testing out the mud kitchen made by the Cairns Men's Shed, as one of the Baby Expo door prizes.