A ‘lifesaving’ new home on the Gold Coast is gaining strong interest among keen house hunters one day out from a House for Life auction, raising money for Queensland’s most sick and premature babies at Mater Mothers’ Hospital.
This year’s campaign involves Plantation Homes and Villawood Properties which have led the initiative to support Mater Hospital’s Neonatal Critical Care Unit.
Plantation Homes’ double storey Majestic 45 located at Helensvale’s The Surrounds goes under the hammer on Saturday (15 October), and features four spacious bedrooms, three large bathrooms, two powder rooms, a pool, and a two-car garage.
Brisbane parents and House for Life Ambassadors Amber Ward and Brisbane Lions assistant coach Jed Adcock, are helping to promote the stunning house, at 21 Forest Court, The Surrounds, Helensvale.
The couple have two Mater Little Miracles, Hugo and Freddie, who were cared for at Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU) before being healthy enough to go home.
Amber and Jed rode a heart-wrenching, emotional rollercoaster when their son Hugo was born 13 weeks premature in 2020, spending 89 days in the NCCU fighting for his life.
Weighing just 940g at 27 weeks gestation, Hugo needed to be intubated and had difficulty breathing.
He endured several complications – including three blood transfusions and a small grade two bleed on his brain.
The couple’s second son Freddie was born five weeks early and also required care in the NCCU to monitor his breathing.
With auction day around the corner, Ms Ward encouraged buyers to take part in the no-reserve auction.
Ms Ward said a butler’s pantry featuring storage solutions provided by The Organised Housewife, Katrina Springer, would no doubt be a hit with busy families.
“This property also comes fully furnished, so what’s not to love about the fact you can pack your bags and move straight in,” she said.
“The house is packed to the roof with quality inclusions, donations, upgrades and of course the feel-good factor.
“Knowing the money from this auction will go towards supporting tiny and vulnerable babies is very meaningful to us. Jed and I are committed to giving back to the hospital that saved our boys’ lives and want as many people as possible to bid on this stunning Gold Coast home!”
In 2019, Philip and Hayley Lakic, were the lucky bidders of the House for Life charity home at Villawood Properties’ Helensvale community, The Surrounds.
Ms Lakic, who was pregnant with her first baby at the time, said buying a charity home was an incredible feeling.
“Not only were we excited to be starting our family in a beautiful new home, but we were helping to raise funds for an extremely worthy cause that was close to our hearts,” Ms Lakic said.
“My grandmother used to sell charity home tickets for Mater Foundation in the 1980s and 90s, so it just felt right when we heard about the House for Life auction.”
The couple, who now call The Surrounds home, said the “tight knit” community officered everything they were looking for.
“We have mums and bubs group catch ups in the playground, we grab our daily coffee at the cafe, and we even have dedicated fitness classes for mums and kids at the Leisure Centre. We’ve got everything we want at our doorstep.”
The couple attended a recent open home for the 2022 House for Life charity home and urged interested buyers to attend the auction.
Mr Lakic described the house as “amazing”.
“It’ll be a very lucky family that ends up living in this home - they’ll have to outbid us though,” he said.
Mater Foundation Executive Director Andrew Thomas said funds raised from the auction would go towards supporting the 2000 seriously ill and premature babies who are cared for at Mater’s Neonatal Critical Care unit each year.
“Money raised will help purchase life-saving equipment and go towards important research to improve the health and outcomes of mothers and their babies,” Mr Thomas said.
“This is such an inspiring initiative and auction day is set to be an action-packed event.”
Plantation Homes General Manager Alex Raleigh said after nine months construction and with more than 100 trades and suppliers donating their time and resources towards the build he was looking forward to some competitive bidding on the day.
“Plantation Homes are proud to be part of such an initiative to assist Mater in creating a better start to life for Queensland’s tiniest patients,” Mr Raleigh said.
Visit https://www.houseforlife.com.au/