We are excited to announce that the 24 Hour Spinathon will be returning on the 25th of March 2022.
In 2019, Mike and Jayne Blackwell’s son, Joe was born at The Royal nine weeks premature and with a serious heart condition. Joe fought hard for 36 days but sadly passed away on 27th April 2019.
In Joe’s honour, The 24 Hour Spinathon for The Royal’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit was launched and held on November 9th 2019. The unique event featured 25 teams and over 250 spinners riding over 15,000 kilometres, raising an incredible $180,000 for The Royal’s NICU.
The money raised has gone on to fund lifesaving equipment including a humidicrib and attaching equipment and a mobile x-ray machine that are helping premature babies just like Joe have the best chance of survival.
Since 2019, restrictions have been in place that would not permit the Spinathon to run in its same capacity. Off the back the successful 2019 Spinathon, bikes and teams will fill up quickly.
Mike and Jayne Blackwell with Joe’s little sister Phoebe
ABOUT THE 24 HOUR SPINATHON
In 2019 Joe Blackwell was born 9 weeks premature at The Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick. To complicate matters, Joe was born with a serious heart condition. Joe fought hard for 5 weeks and 1 day under the care of the team in The Royal’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) but sadly lost his fight.
To honour the care that Joe received while he was at The Royal, Joe’s parents, Mike and Jayne Blackwell, have created this 24 Hour Spinathon, held each year to continue Joe’s legacy.
In 2019, The 24 Hour Spinathon raised over $180,000 for the NICU. The funds have purchased life-saving equipment such a humidicrib and portable x-ray machine that will save thousands of premature babies lives each year.
Each year, The NICU cares for over 1,000 premature and critically-ill babies just like Joe. Over 70% of the equipment in the NICU has been purchased through donations and fundraisers.
Join us in the 2022 24 Hour Spinathon as we continue to fundraise for our most vulnerable babies and honour Joe’s brave fight.
