Approximately 8.7% of babies born in Australia are born premature. The Preterm Infants Parents Association Inc. (PIPA) is a Queensland based charity which offers practical and emotional support to the families of these infants born premature. Our goal is to raise awareness of premature birth and to provide understanding, information, encouragement, friendship and, where possible, financial assistance to parents of preterm infants. PIPA is maintained entirely by volunteers, most of whom are parents of prematurely born children. We have seen families lives turned upside down as they rise to the challenge of caring for a premature or sick newborn that must spend time in a neonatal intensive or special care nursery. Not only must they deal with the emotional turmoil associated with the uncertainty surrounding the prognosis of their child’s outcome but also they are often faced with financial hardship. These financial pressures may arise from the need to live away from home for extended periods, from taking unexpected leave of absences from employment, additional childcare expenses or from the costs associated with travelling back and forward to the hospital each day. That is why we need your help.