102.5 ABC Perth Afternoons Program presenter Jo Trilling has launched a Knitting for Newborns campaign in support of the Women and Infants Research Foundation’s (WIRF) Baby Bundles and Women’s Care Packages programs.
Each year, more than 6,000 babies are born at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH). Many of these babies arrive unexpectedly, and some prematurely, and too often families are unprepared or without access to basic essentials.
In these moments, WIRF’s Baby Bundles and Women’s Care Packages programs provide immediate relief, comfort, and dignity.
The Baby Bundles program supports Western Australian families in need by providing essential babywear and blankets to babies born in emergency situations, some prematurely, or to mothers experiencing hardship.
WIRF also provides Women’s Care Packages for patients admitted to KEMH in emergency or crisis situations. These packages contain essential toiletries, underwear, and sanitary items.
During an interview with long-time WIRF volunteer Deb Salomone, Jo Trilling put a call out to the community to ask for help with knitting blankets, cardigans, and teddy bears for mums and babies in need.
Deb has been volunteering with the Baby Bundles program for more than a decade and has helped ensure thousands of families receive vital support during some of the most challenging times in their lives.
You can listen to Jo Trilling’s interview with Deb Salomone here
To learn more about the Knitting for Newborns campaign, visit the ABC Perth website here
Featured 102.5 ABC Perth interviews for the Knitting for Newborns campaign
As part of the Knitting for Newborns campaign, the 102.5 ABC Perth Afternoons Program is shining a spotlight on the people at the heart of WIRF’s work. Throughout the campaign, listeners will hear from families who have experienced the challenges of premature birth and the NICU, the dedicated healthcare professionals caring for women, babies and families, researchers driving discoveries to improve health outcomes, and the volunteers whose support makes programs such as Baby Bundles and Women’s Care Packages possible. Listen to some of the interviews below.
30 June 2026 – Interview with Professor Scott White, A/Medical Co-Director of Obstetrics at King Edward Memorial Hospital and a Professor at UWA
Professor Scott White is one of those doctors you hope you never have to meet, but know you’ll be in the best hands if you do.
As A/Medical Co-Director of Obstetrics at King Edward Memorial Hospital and a Professor at UWA, he’s been quietly working to improve outcomes for preterm babies and their parents.
He’s one of the world’s leading experts of in utero surgery, also called fetal or prenatal surgery, which involves operating on a fetus while it’s still in the uterus.
And he’s setting up a dedicated service to support women through pregnancy following a previous loss.
2 July 2026 – Interview with Jemma Miles, mum to Edward Oliver Miles was born at just 26+6 week’s gestation
When baby Edward Oliver Miles was born at just 26+6 week’s gestation, he weighed around a kilogram and went straight into the NICU at King Edward Memorial Hospital.
His mum Jemma and dad Harry were thrust into early parenthood, still grieving the loss of Edward’s twin Oliver.
They hadn’t even thought about buying clothes or nappies for their baby.
In this interview, Jemma explains to Jo Trilling what it’s like to be gifted a Baby Bundle of donated knitted items for her baby.
Edward Oliver is now over four kilograms and doing well, but a warning that this interview details pregnancy loss and preterm birth.
7 July 2026 – Interview with social workers Anita Coutinho, Gillian Brodie and Mel Phelan
In this interview, King Edward Memorial Hospital social workers Anita Coutinho and Gillian Brodie share insights into the vital role social workers play in supporting women, babies, and families through times of challenge, change and uncertainty. And their colleague Mel Phelan, who was inspired to join the social work team after having a baby at just 23 weeks gestation, tells ABC presenter Amber what a difference listeners’ generosity can make.
Support services
For support services, you can reach out to:
Red Nose Grief and Loss: 1300 308 307
Bears of Hope: 1300 11 HOPE (1300 114 673)
PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): www.panda.org.au
You can also speak with your GP, midwife, or other healthcare provider.
WIRF is incredible grateful to Jo Trilling and the 102.5 ABC Perth Afternoons Program for their support of these important programs, supporting Western Australian mums and babies in need this winter.
Photo courtesy of ABC Perth
