By Olivia Condous
A Bacchus Marsh mother is helping to raise funds for a cause close to her heart by organising a teddy bear picnic for families to enjoy.
Emma Dwyer’s daughter Hannah was born with half a heart and had open heart surgery when she was 24 hours old.
Hannah, now 11, has suffered from health complications her whole life, but support from the charity HeartKids has made the journey much easier.
“HeartKids came knocking on our ward door at the hospital and brought along smiles, cuddles and offered anything we needed,” Ms Dwyer said.
“You can ring them any time, that’s the type of people they are, they truly understand.”
To give back to the charity, Ms Dwyer has partnered with Webbs Event Group to hold a teddy bear picnic at Peppertree Park in Bacchus Marsh on Saturday April 30.
The free event will include market stalls, food trucks, carnival rides, live music, arts and crafts, face painting, teddy bear story time and more.
Families can also register to do a teddy bear biscuit decorating experience with a gift bag included for $10 per child, with half of the proceeds going to HeartKids.
Ms Dwyer has put on several events to raise funds for the charity since her daughter was two years old to show support.
She said HeartKids had been her backbone while supporting her daughter through medical challenges.
“Whenever I’ve needed a voice, someone to help me understand what’s going on or a shoulder to lean on, they’ve been there,” Ms Dwyer said.
For more information on the event, visit the ‘Bacchus Marsh Teddy Bear Picnic 2022’ Facebook event.
