WIRF & King Edward Memorial Hospital Op Shop

31/07/2026

🧶💛 A Community Woven Together by Kindness 💛🧶

When launched the Knitting for Newborns campaign, we hoped our community would help bring comfort and warmth to some of our smallest and most vulnerable babies.

We’re delighted to see so many donations arriving, with beautiful wraps, blankets and knitted treasures already making their way to babies and families.

Every stitch represents kindness, care and support for families navigating a difficult start to parenthood. These handmade gifts provide more than warmth -they remind families that they are surrounded by a community that cares.

💜 Thank you to everyone who has picked up their knitting needles, shared our appeal, or contributed to our Baby Bundles program in any way. Your generosity is helping wrap babies and their families in comfort, love and hope.

The campaign finishes today, but the need for knitters is ongoing - read more about The Baby Bundles program here: https://wirf.com.au/how-we-help/support-services/baby-bundles/

29/07/2026

🎙️We are LIVE ON AIR 🎤

We’re excited to join Jo Trilling for the Afternoons Knit In, live from 102.5 ABC Perth studios, celebrating the amazing response to the Knitting for Newborns campaign and the dedicated crafters who have generously shared their time, talent and kindness.

🧶Every stitch tells a story of community, compassion, and hope.

It’s wonderful to be amongst a room full of people from all ages and stages who have knitted, crocheted, donated or shared their story about the impact of our work, including our Baby Bundles program.

A BIG thank you to the team at ABC Perth for your incredible support.

North Metropolitan Health Service

28/07/2026

We are incredibly grateful for the time, care and kindness of our volunteers. 💙

The Women and Infants Research Foundation (WIRF) Op Shop at King Edward Memorial Hospital is “full of second-hand goodness and handmade goodies,” shop volunteer Jenny O'Hara told 102.5 ABC Perth

More than 6,000 babies are born at KEMH each year. Many newborns arrive in an emergency and some without the essential babywear they need.

For these new mums, the WIRF op shop is an opportunity pick up the items they need at an affordable price.

"It's just a place where, particularly girls who are from up north or those people who get flown down in an emergency, we can help look after them,” Ms O’Hara said.

"You give them dignity as well. They're not getting a handout, they get to come in and choose what they want, they buy what they want, they might have a voucher from social work, they might do it with their own funds."

The shop sells quality pre-loved baby, maternity, and women’s clothing, and more donations are always needed - especially more warm winter clothing.

Ms O'Hara has been volunteering at the op shop for four years. She says it's a great opportunity to catch up with her friends while giving back to the community.

"I've met so many other beautiful women and we just laugh most of the day. You get to help people. All the money goes back into WIRF which goes back into the NICU unit."

WIRF Op Shop volunteers commit one day a week from 10am - 2pm, and Ms O'Hara says these four hours are the highlight of her week.

"It's just this beautiful circle of goodness and kindness and joy."

28/07/2026

📷 Meet Geoff Fisher, the talented photographer behind the beautiful images displayed in our cafe.

Taken 30 years ago in 1996, these photographs captured a remarkable triplet birth and preserve a truly special chapter of our history.

It was a pleasure to welcome Geoff to our grand re-opening in June alongside our generous donors who helped revamp the cafe.

We're incredibly grateful for his work and proud to showcase these meaningful images within our cafe.

📷Photo credit

24/07/2026

🌸 Made with Love 🌸

Did you know our Op Shop offers more than just an incredible range of pre-loved clothing for babies, toddlers, and women?

We also stock a beautiful selection of handmade baby blankets and jumpers in a range of sizes and colours, lovingly crafted and perfect for keeping bub warm this winter

Best of all, every purchase helps support the work we do supporting healthy mothers and babies, making your purchase even more meaningful. 💛👶🧶

The WIRF Op Shop is located in Centenary building next to the Cashier's Office, open Monday to Thursday from 10am - 2pm.

23/07/2026

"If you have to come to us and we have the privilege of caring for your baby, then we will do the best that we possibly can for you and your family."

Sarah Bottcher is the Clinical Nurse Manager of Neonatology at KEMH's NICU. As a part of the ABC's Knitting For Newborns Campaign, she took Jo Trilling behind the scenes of the neonatal intensive care unit.

Ms Bottcher told Jo Trilling on 102.5 ABC Perth Afternoons that the unit looks after babies that are born prematurely or that need a level of intensive care.

"[Babies] requiring respiratory support, fluids, feeding, blood sugar support, right through to babies that are born with surgical requirements that might need to be transferred to Perth Children's Hospital."

Ms Bottcher said seeing babies 'graduate' from the NICU is one of the best parts of the job.

"The most rewarding part of all of this is seeing families getting to go home with their babies, with the support of their families in place, but also continuing to provide support here too."

"And some people continue coming back for years to come to visit the unit, just to have a look at the photos in our cabinet outside and say hello to people that they remember."

Find out more about our Knitting for Newborn campaign: ab.co/4wrCejh

22/07/2026

Clare Collins was born at 25 weeks. She weighed just 825 grams.

So what is life for her now at age 15?

"I obviously have faced a few challenges," Clare told Jo Trilling on 102.5 ABC Perth Afternoons.

"It makes it really hard to retain information. And motor planning is also a big one."

Despite this, Claire has big plans once she graduates high school. She has been inspired by the therapists who fostered her development during early childhood.

"I would really like to thank the people at Telethon and occupational therapy. It's also inspired me to go and pursue OT once I reach university."

She wants to share a message of hope to other families with pre-term children.

"I know it may seem bad now, but things definitely do get better."

As part of 102.5 ABC's Knitting for Newborns campaign, Clare and her father Wylie sat down with Jo Trilling to talk about their experience: ab.co/4wrCejh

16/07/2026

You know him as ‘Mr Cricket’, but Michael Hussey has another very important role.

Mike and his wife Amy are the inaugural patrons of the Women and Infants Research Foundation at King Edward Memorial Hospital.

The couple have two children who were born at just 28 weeks gestation and needed intensive care.

He joined Jo Trilling in the 102.5 ABC Perth studio to share his story: ab.co/4yqaGfO

16/07/2026

🧶 You’re invited!

Join Jo Trilling for a special live broadcast from the ABC Perth studios in East Perth as we celebrate the incredible community support behind the Knitting for Newborns Appeal.

Whether you’re a seasoned knitter, a crochet lover, or simply keen for a cuppa and a chat, we’d love to see you at the Afternoons Knit In.

Bring along your current project, connect with fellow crafters, share ideas, and help create beautiful handmade items for families who need them most.

Together, we’ll celebrate the impact of your donations, enjoy an afternoon of creativity and community, and keep the needles clicking for a great cause. 🧸✨

🎟️ Book your FREE tickets via Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/ABC-Perth-Knit-In
📍 ABC Perth Studios: 30 Fielder Street, East Perth
🧶 Bring your knitting or crochet project
💜 Help support Baby Bundles

We can’t wait to thank you in person and celebrate the amazing difference you’re making for WA families.

15/07/2026

📣 Calling all Knitters 🧶