We are so grateful for our ongoing partnership with BIG W, who work alongside us to support the health and wellbeing of our community. This year, there are wonderful opportunities for you to get involved and make a difference while you do your Christmas shopping.

When you visit your local BIG W this Christmas, you can help support families under the care of the Women’s and Children’s Health Network in two simple ways:

Charity Wrapping Paper
Purchase a roll of special-designed charity wrapping paper, featuring artwork by Hollee, a patient at the hospital. At just $5 a roll, it’s a wonderful way to make your gifts look extra special while giving back.

$2 Festive Tokens
As you head through the checkout, you can also purchase a $2 festive token. You can choose to take your token home to hang on your tree or add it to the special display in-store, contributing to a growing community collection.

When you purchase charity wrapping paper or festive tokens at South Australian BIG W stores, 100% of proceeds go directly to supporting the work of the WCH Foundation.

Thank you to BIG W and their incredible community for your continued generosity. Your support helps us enhance the patient care experience for countless children and their families.

On Wednesday, October 8th, we celebrated Play Therapy Day, highlighting our Play Therapists and the positive impact play has on children and families at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH).

Play is so much more than arts & crafts: it’s essential for supporting emotional wellbeing, reducing anxiety, and allowing children to process their hospital experience. Through play, young patients build resilience, express feelings, and regain a sense of control.

This year’s Play Therapy Day featured a variety of activities, each offering unique benefits for patients and their families.

• Playdough: Provides comforting sensory engagement and a calming outlet for children navigating hospital life.
• Badge Making: Encourages self-expression and creativity by creating custom badges.
• Decorating Hospital Buddies: Allows patients to explore and share emotions in an alternative way.
• Window Mural: Builds a sense of community to work towards a common goal, with patients, families and staff invited to join in.
• Keyrings and Jellyfish Bracelets: A peaceful, mindful activity encouraging focus, relaxation, and creativity.
• Giant Connect 4:  Nurtures problem-solving skills, quick thinking, and most importantly a sense of fun!
• Medical Play: Reduces the anxiety of hospital procedures through discovery, practice and play.

We were also joined by BIG W staff, who generously gave their time to help with the day’s activities and share in the fun. BIG W has long supported Play Therapy through their fundraising efforts, and their hands-on involvement made this year’s celebration even more special.

Thank you to our dedicated Play Therapy team and everyone who made Play Therapy Day such a meaningful experience!

The WCH Foundation is proud to support Play Therapy at the WCH. Learn more about Play Therapy here.

Five years ago, BIG W embarked on a mission to support the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation through a five-year partnership. With an ambitious goal of raising $500,000, State Manager Kris and the BIG W team set out to make a difference.

Today, we are thrilled to announce that BIG W has exceeded all expectations, raising an incredible $679,629.65, surpassing their goal by nearly $180,000! This remarkable achievement is thanks to the dedication of BIG W staff and the generosity of their customers who supported the Token Campaigns over the years.

To celebrate this milestone, we were joined by the inspiring Dragon Queen, Zoe, one of our Pink Heart Gallery artists, and a talented dancer from Restless Dance Theatre. Together, they helped the BIG W team understand how these funds support Play Therapy at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and make a difference in the lives of patients.

This partnership is a shining example of what can be achieved when a company truly believes in giving back to the community. By working together year after year, BIG W has helped us create brighter futures for children and families in need.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire BIG W team for their incredible support and commitment. Your efforts have made a lasting impact, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

Hannah’s story is one of resilience, love, and hope.

Throughout her life, Hannah and her family have been deeply connected to the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Born prematurely at just 27 weeks and 6 days, her arrival came after an incredibly challenging pregnancy. Minutes after her birth, Hannah was rushed to the NICU at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where she spent her first 100 days of life battling for every breath. During her time in intensive care, Hannah faced and overcame serious challenges, including pneumonia twice, while remaining on breathing support throughout.

For Jenni and Peter, her loving parents, the fear of losing their precious daughter before her life had truly begun was overwhelming. Yet they found strength in knowing she was receiving the best care possible, surrounded by a dedicated team fighting alongside her every step of the way.

Now 12 years old, Hannah is a shining example of courage and determination. While her childhood has been shaped by chronic lung disease, developmental challenges and the complexities of an undiagnosed genetic condition, Hannah embraces life with enthusiasm and energy. She loves school, participates in many after-school activities, and continues to explore the world around her with a bright and curious spirit. Although she regularly needs her wheelchair for support, it doesn’t slow her down.

Hannah’s connection with the Women’s and Children’s Hospital remains an integral part of her life. Jenni, along with their family and friends, have fostered a close bond with the team over the years, channelling her gratitude into giving back. Together, they’ve actively support fundraising efforts to provide vital equipment for the NICU, ensuring other families receive the same level of exceptional care that saved Hannah.

And while Hannah takes on the world, she embraces many passions including art.

This year, Hannah has channelled her creativity into a heartfelt project, becoming the artist behind our 2025 Big W Toy Sale token. Her joyful illustrations tell their own stories:

By purchasing Hannah’s token, you’ll be supporting the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation in providing critical care and resources to families just like hers.  

Visit your local Big W store and help ensure every child has the chance to thrive like Hannah.