Bundaberg local Amelia Beddie is made of tough stuff and she now has a Supertee to prove it.
Amelia, who was diagnosed with deafness and epilepsy, was recently given a Supertee – a medical garment disguised as a superhero costume which allows easy access to her feeding tube.
Amelia's mum Bernie Beddie said Amelia truly believed she was a superhero when she wore her Supertee and it gave her new confidence every time she needed to go to hospital.
Bernie has been sharing Amelia's story to help raise awareness about Supertee's upcoming fundraiser Tea4Tees.
Cuppas for courage
Tea4Tees is Supertee's inaugural community fundraising event, raising vital funds to give sick children strength through imagination.
The children’s charity is calling on people to host a high tea anytime during the month of April, with proceeds to help fund 16,000 Supertee care packs to be given to children in hospitals and respite centres across Australia this year.
Supertee founder and CEO Jason Sotiris said it was an opportunity to have some fun with family and friends while making a real difference in the lives of sick kids and their families.
“They say you’ve got to fill your own cup before you can fill anyone else’s but for parents of seriously ill children, that can be very difficult,” Jason said.
“Which is why I’m encouraging others to fill a cup on their behalf and enjoy a high tea that will raise money to help us get more Supertees out there and give more kids strength through imagination.
“It is our goal to have a Supertee available to every little superhero who needs one but we rely on the generosity of the community to make that possible, so any amount of money raised is greatly appreciated.”
Supertee is a superhero t-shirt which opens under the arms for easy thermometer access, with evenly placed press studs that can be opened around tubes and lines, as well as being PET scan and MRI friendly.
Supertee is Jason's brainchild, a former tradie from Western Sydney who quit his day job to improve the lives of children facing serious health battles.
“I was a tradie whose life got turned upside down when my daughter Angela who is now 12 was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis,” he said.
“I’m sure you’ve seen images of children in hospital and they have IV and central lines and drips and chest monitor cables hooked up to their tiny bodies.
“It’s a helpless feeling especially when your child is distressed when you have to change their clothes and their lines get all tangled.
“I knew there had to be a better solution and even though I knew nothing about medical garments I gave it a go and created the Supertee that’s helping thousands of children in hospital every day.”
Tea4Tees will run from 1 to 30 April 2024 and hosts can register here.
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