I just wanted to say a massive thank you for all that you do!! We have our precious boy in the NICU at the RWH currently and walking into that bag this morning made me cry! Thank you for making our Christmas morning in the NICU! Xx

Christmas 2024, a time of gratitude and a time of prayer. Thank you to @theroyalwomens and the NICU for brightening up Christmas vibes and spreading joy to our hearts, and to @nicucheer for the love and support. 

It’s never easy to smile and hide our bed of tears underneath. But we manage to, sincerely thankful for your unsolicited support and generosity. #santadelivered #nicu #preemies #nicucheer #christmas #tttssurvivors #royalwomenshospital

Got mine at Monash Children’s. Thank you so much for everything you do ❤ Zoe

Thanks for our little bag of love - so heartwarming during this tricky times ❤️ Heather

Thank you so much I got my bag yesterday ❤️💗 very kind 🩵 Jazzie

Hi,
I just wanted to say thank you to you and all the volunteers who put together the beautiful Mother’s Day gifts for Sunday. My son was born in April at 26 weeks, 6 days gestation and he is currently in NICU.  The last few weeks have been a huge rollercoaster, and the present was a lovely surprise on an emotional first Mother’s Day!

Thanks again,
M

@nicucheer we were one of the families that received a bag (for Easter 2024), it was such a beautiful surprise! My son spent two weeks in the Mercy NICU before being transferred to RCH. It’s been such a stressful time and this bag brought the cheer that you intended. I was sad to leave my older son to go to NICU and see my baby on Easter Sunday, your bag reminded me that we’re not alone and gave us the strength to keep showing up for our baby. You are amazing and thank you for bringing us some joy! ❤️

This was my mothers day bag 3 years ago. This is soo special to me ❤️

NICU Cheer team Thanks You guys are amazing ❤️

Thank you for all that you do. My bub spent his first Christmas at Monash Children's & you guys spoiled him ❤️

Thank you so much for creating this community. My husband was a recipient of one of these beautiful gift bags. The nurses added a beautiful card with our daughters photo and footprint ❤️ a very special and memorable day for us.

You guys are amazing! We got a bag last Mother’s Day when our little girl was in the NICU and it still brings me warm fuzzy feelings! Thank you x

Thank you for all of the work that you do. I had my baby girl Stella in January this year. She was 31 weeks and weighed over 1kg (just!).

I remember receiving your gift-bag and telling the nurses 'No, all of this can't be for me!"...and they just smiled.

I still have my Snuggle Heart set. Thank you - from Mel.

A post I saw reminded me of the joy brought to me my a wonderful gesture from you and some nurses in NICU at the women’s. Our triplets were born July 27th 2020 at 28 weeks, all weighing 1kg each we knew it was a long road ahead, days in NICU were long but the nurses there made it so special, on Father’s Day we wanted to divide time between our triplets and our then 4 year old son, when we got to NICU there was a lovely message on a whiteboard and a beautiful bag with lovely things in it, one of which a book that my son and I still read together.

The reason for my message is to let you know that these gestures gave us strength and hope that we weren’t alone in the journey and there are amazing people out there that restores one faith in humanity. All I can say is well done to you, as I’ve said to anyone who will listen it’s people like yourself and the nurses and Doctors we met last year that are the true heroes of society and I wish you all the very best. ❤️

Hello, I just wanted to say thank you for the Father's Day pack today. It's been out first week in NICU with our first children and it was such a welcome surprise that was very much appreciated!

Hi everyone,

I’m so glad we found this group! Our daughter was born in December at the Mercy and was in the NICU for 5 weeks. She received a big Christmas NICU Cheer bag which was at her bedside on Christmas morning. It was so beautiful and we were so incredibly touched. Our baby girl is now 7 months old and is doing so well My husband and I would love to help out giving back wherever we can!  xoxo

These pics are from Fathers Day last year & now. Frank was born at 25 weeks (25/05/22) at the Mercy Hospital for Women. He’s beautiful. The best baby and we can’t get enough of him.

Thanks so much for all your gifts. So generous of you all...the Father’s Day gifts brightened up so many people’s day

👏👏👏 I remember the mother’s and Father’s Day bags we got in our long NICU stay and it was such a nice surprise to get something like that during a tough time

Thursday: "Thank you! Such a lovely visit today, can’t wait to see how excited all the mum’s are on Sunday with their amazing @nicucheer bags 😍😍😍

Sunday: "Thank you Maddie! All the mum’s loved their special NICU cheer bags! Xx"

A special mention to NICU Cheer for their visit and gift pack for Cass. Maddie, it was an absolute pleasure to meet and hear your story. We consider ourselves quite lucky compared to that of other families like yourself. We absolutely worship the ground you have walked on, and your initiative to create NICU cheer is legendary. You and your family are a walking, talking example of the hard work and dedication of the NICU at the Mercy Hospital for Women, and your constant campaigning to give back and assist the hospital and families who are currently there speaks volumes. Happy 7th birthday to Ashton and we look forward to helping you in any way we can in the future .

Moments like this, people like you and all the staff from NICU/special care is what makes our journeys a little bit easier ❤️❤️❤️...

Thank you again for the gift bag, honestly it’s just so beautiful. And seeing all the mums come in and get there’s today was just so heartwarming

❤️ From a NICU Nurse who sees how important your work is and is forever grateful x

The bag we received on Christmas morning while we were in NICU at Joan Kirner in 2022 meant more to us than you’ll ever know xxx

Baby Jedd: "I loved smelling my mum and dads scent on the snuggle hearts I got when I was in the humidity crib. Lots of love from baby Jedd"

Our youngest was born last May and transported out to the NICU as soon as she was born. We were there over Mother’s Day and the little care package our hospital gave us really helped lift my spirits. It truly made a difference and I’ll forever be grateful for the work organisations like yours make.

Thank you for all that you do xx

"Those posters and cards are treasured gifts to me..."

The NICU Family poster is by Every Tiny Thing & NICU milestone cards by Miracle Mumma. 

A big massive thank you to the wonderful Maddie at @nicucheer for the amazing package that was sent out to us 💛

We are soo appreciative and are in awe of the work you do for families with babies on the NICU ❤️”

Liam's first Easter.

Thanks to @nicucheer, we were able to have a little bit of joy at our cotside. Liam got to pose for the camera and I got take a little bit of time for self care thanks to their generous goodies bag.

Mother's day... we were able to spend some time all together. I got to revel in the little goodie bag that @nicucheer had created, I got to watch dad bathe our baby boy for the first time, I got snuggles.

Alfaaz and his Mum....at Monash NICU

Thanks so much Maddie, your organisation you have created is the best - Thank you. 💞

Beautiful gifts to walk in to after a long day! Thank you NICU Cheer for putting a smile on our faces on days like today xxx

My husband and I received (a Easter bag) yesterday when we went to visit our daughter. It's so amazing how generous people are 💞🐰

Update 1 week later:

I'm loving these Snuggies and so is my beautiful little girl Marley

Thank you so much for my Mother's Day bag xx

Delilah and her Mum.....at Monash NICU

Theodore aka "Teddy"....at Monash NICU

Georgia and her Mum........at Monash NICU

Isabella.......at Monash NICU

Easter goodies - greatly appreciated by NICU Parents and staff...

Thanks to NICU Cheer for the amazng gifts for the NICU babies at the Womens.

Everyone loved their bags and were so grateful for them, it was lovely to see so many smiles around the place!

Thank you for all you do, it really is a highlight of the holidays for us nurses too watching the parents feeling so special when they get to open presents to celebrate their firsts!

Thank you for being such an inspirations, not only to the parents struggling through, but to us healthcare workers who get to see that it is all worth it. x

Thanks for the beautiful Easter bag ...was a lovely surprise when we walked in today.

It was the nicest thing to walk into, knowing we were spending Easter away from family. Thanks

Our bub was admitted to NICU a couple of weeks before Christmas and we were totally blown away by the generous and thoughtful gift bag when we arrived to visit him on Christmas Day. It was such a heartwarming surprise and we were very grateful for such a lovely gift.

Gorgeous Maddie - so pleased we could help you spread the cheer xx

Thank you so much lovely surprise gifts for our twins and some treats for mum and dad ❤️❤️ merry 🎄 Christmas
 

I received one of your bags this year for Mothers Day, and it was such a beautiful gift. My little man was born 8 weeks early and was only a few days old for my first Mother’s Day so it wasn’t something my hubby or I even gave any thought but it was so heartwarming to have that bag there waiting for me when we got to the hospital that day. Thank you so much.

I honestly cried so much to see that beautiful little bag that day, it made me feel so warm to know that someone was thinking of us - especially since most of my pregnancy and basically Darcy’s whole life so far has been under some sort of lockdown - to receive such a kindness from a stranger is something I’ll never forget.

Thank you so much it was such a nice surprise for all the dad’s in our room on Sunday morning and brought so many smiles ❤️

Thank you @nicucheer for the kind words! Appreciate you for everything you do for families going through heart ache like we did. I remember the beautiful Father’s Day goodie bag I received last year for Father’s Day. Thank you ❤️

Thanks @nicucheer for my Father’s Day gift pack. I am pretty sure all dads in nicu’s would have loved it

A very happy daddy on arrival on Sunday morning ❤️ amazing work xx thanks again xx

NICU Cheer thank you so much ❤️ we loved it

Just wanted to let you know my good friends currently have twins in NICU and received your Father's Day bag. They love it Xx 😘

Thank you so much. We got our bag at The Royal Women's and it may my husband's day. Very special gesture and so appreciated ❤️

On behalf of all the Dads in our NICU receiving these, thank you so much for these incredible packages! ♥️

Thank you to NICU Cheer for always supporting NICU Moms!

Such a meaningful gift from NICU Cheer!

Our patient's Mums love their Mother's Day presents ❤️🥺

Mother's Day bag recipient 2021

Thank you so much for (the spare set of Snuggle Hearts).

Our little one turned 1 month yesterday, she is now in SCU in Geelong so is doing amazing after 3 weeks in NICU, she is still on hi flow room air but is gaining weight and is a gorgeous little girl.

​

"We love hearing from the parents after they receive a bag of cheer from us in the NICU". Maddie, NICU Cheer

Hey Madz!

Happy Mother's Day! 😁 A Mum at work (in the NICU) has asked almost begged me to pass on her sincerest thank you for the pack ❤️

Dear NICU Cheer,

Such a beautiful gift from (NICU Cheer) at The Royal Women's today for Mother's Day. They have been amazing through both pregnancies and births. So grateful to them 💞

Dear NICU Cheer,

I just wanted to say a massive thank you for your gift of a cheer package... or little girl Danika Amber Moore joined us on April 1st, a full 12 weeks early at the Joan Kirner Women's and children's hospital. I guess we know we have a little trickster on our hands.

The gift you have given our little girl filled us with gratitude knowing we are not alone in this journey. thank you again.

​

Update on Koa:

He came home after 12wks in NICU/HDU/SCN on Feb 11 which was his due date!But the last couple of days he has been a bit unsettled so I used your snuggle hearts in his cot and he has slept so well ever since!

They are useful not just in the hospital but home too!

Hi Nicu Cheer Team,

A huge thank you for the lovely gift bag you supplied us on Christmas Day. 
 

It was a lovely surprise on the day and everything that was in the bag will definitely come in handy throughout our NICU journey. 

​

Thank you for your generosity and the amazing team that put the bags together, it will never be forgotten.

Our 2 little miracle twin babies (Felix & Oscar) were born at 28 weeks on the 4th December at Frances Perry and were transferred to Royal Women’s, they are doing really well.

Thanks again!

Hello.

I just wanted to message you and say a massive belated thank you for the Christmas gifts we received when our baby was in the NICU and The Women’s in Melbourne. It was a lovely gesture and definitely put a smile on our faces during a difficult day.

They are useful not just in the hospital but home too!

Thank you to NICU Cheer for brightening our day! Christmas should be a time when you are with all your family, having to visit Grayson, with his siblings, then go home without him was a hard day!  The gorgeous package we received was such a surprise! Memories we have to add to our experience and can share with Grayson as he grows. Thank you 💙

We were lucky enough to receive a gorgeous little hamper from NICU Cheer for Grayson on Christmas Day!

​

It was such a beautiful gesture on a day where we couldn't all be together for his first Christmas, aside from books, clothes, toys and sentimental keepsakes was little treats for mumma and daddy 💗 A wonderful charity, we felt really seen and cared for! Thank you for all you do 😘

Just wanted to thank you again for putting together the most delightful father’s day bags.

People are feeding back to me that they were so enthusiastically received by the dads.

So many good quality treats, it really brightened their day.

Hi there

​

Just wanted to say a big thank you for the Christmas surprise. It was lovey to arrive on Xmas morning to the amazing gift bag and it brightened our day.

Our little boy Koa is in week 6 at the Royal Women’s after being born at  28weeks

Thank you NICU Cheer for  an amazing Father's Day gift the gift! Wowww.

For us nicu families, it isn’t just another Father’s Day 💕

​

It’s incredible and really helped put a smile on a face !

Dear NICU Cheer,

I wanted to extend my greatest gratitude for the wonderful gift basket which you provided on Father's Day. It's lovely to have such wonderful people and organisations doing whatever they can to help make our time in NICU a little easier. The bag contained so many wonderful gifts and we can't thank you enough. I have attached some photos of me with my little boy Carter holding the bag and also one of the lovely spread after we had unpacked it at home.

 PS the snacks didn't survive the drive home! 

Thank you all so so much again.

​

It’s incredible and really helped put a smile on a face !

Just wanted to pass on my absolute thanks for the father day gift bag. It truly put a smile on my face.

Unfortunately on the day my little girl was a little sick for hugs. we had a little rough Saturday night so not much sleep was had. but after walking into see my little girl my eyes where drawn to the bag. I honestly can not thank you enough for the kit, so much content and I am just speechless how much was in there. The Red bull was very helpful and I have attached a photo with bub. Thanks again

​

This is our Daddy's first father's day and we like many are spending it with our father in the NICU. It is such an experience that no one unless you've been in the NICU whether it's 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or more will understand. NICU Cheer has made it that much more happier by organising these Fathers Day gift-bags with all of these donated goodies for every single father in the NICU/SCN for not only our NICU,  but other NICUs in Melbourne. How Amazing😊

Mummy ate the chocolates before Daddy could get his hands on them 🤫

Thank you NICU Cheer.

​

The boys pictured here with their NICU Cheer Snuggle Hearts

All the dads are so so appreciative of the goodie bags for Father's Day. Thank you for bringing so much cheer to these families.

It was so unexpected on Father's day when I went to visit my son in NICU at (the NICU) to receive such a wonderful and thoughtful gift. Thank you so much and keep up the great work. It was very much appreciated.

We received a Father's Day bag in Monash Children's NICU and we loved it so much, thank you for everything you do, it sure did put a smile on this little families face!

 

Thank you NICU Cheer for  an amazing Father's Day gift the gift! Wowww.

Hi I just wanted to say a massive thank you for the lovely fathers day hamper.

My little girl was born at 29 weeks and after 2 months in the Monash children's hospital we finally got to take her home last Wednesday. It was made extra special because she was home for my partner's first father's day. I gave him the hamper and he burst into tears. He was so taken back that he was thought about and finally after months of having to be the strong one for myself and our daughter, he could finally let go of everything he was feeling.

Again, I just wanted to say a huge thank you. It was so thoughtful and I know just like my partner, that many father's out there would feel so touched by it.

For us nicu families, it isn’t just another Father’s Day 💕

​

It’s incredible and really helped put a smile on a face !

Here at Earlybirds we have the wonderful opportunity to meet and work with so many parents, families and friends of premature and small babies.

This month, we’d love to introduce you to NICU Cheer, the brainchild of Maddie Francis – following the premature birth of her son Ashton in 2016.

NICU Cheer is all about brightening the days of parents and families of premature/sick babies who find themselves in the NICU on Christmas Day, and to let them know they’re not alone on this journey.

All the gift bags given to the families have product donated by businesses and people, and make such a fantastic difference during this time of year.

Biggest thanks to NICU Cheer for the most thoughtful Christmas hamper of goodies.

It really touched our hearts that volunteers are so supportive and committed to the journey of families with premature babies.

Many, many thanks and happy Christmas xox

A big thank you to Maddie, who supported by her friends and family, donated gift bags for all of the parents of sick and premature babies who had to spend Christmas in hospital.

Maddie's NICU Cheer...  included gift-bags for parents, a jumbo hamper for our staff, colouring books for visiting siblings and clothing and wraps for babies.

Maddie's campaign was inspired by her beautiful little boy Ashton, who spent 6.5weeks in our hospital when he was born premature in 2016.

Thank you also to Officeworks, Every Tiny Thing & the Little One for supporting Maddie's Campaign.

Happy Father's Day to you too. We got our NICU Cheer bag for Christmas 2017 with our twins 29+6

We're extremely fortunate to have families of past patients support our hospitals.

This (2018) is the second year Maddie Francis has made up Christmas gift bags for parents of babies in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nursery at Mercy Hospital for Women.

Absolutely outstanding stuff!

My wife reminded me that we had tears of joy last year when we received ours. Such a great surprise during an emotional time.

Count me in for future donations. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.

What an amazing thing you have created here!! Thanks you so much!

I’m a Nicu nurse/Anum at Mercy who worked on Xmas day and I saw first hand what an impact you made on these families! As you would have seen from being a patient/parent of a Nicu grad we get ppl from all walks of life there and for some parents your gift was literally the best/only present they received and really made a difference to parents who as you know are having a really difficult time.

So thank you again, you could have put your experience in the review mirror but you have created something really special out of your experience and are paying it forward in such a wonderful way.

Hope your family have had a happy and safe holiday period.