Fundraiser for the Special Care Nursery at Cairns Hospital
On 27th August 2025, we welcomed our identical twin daughters, Medi and Isabel. Due to some complications, they spent the first 19 days of their lives in the Special Care Nursery at Cairns Base Hospital. As we navigated through this time of what having term pre-term babies entails, what could have been an overwhelming nightmare, became a time of support and inspiration from the dedicated team in the Special Care Nursery.
During the time our family was in the care of this amazing team, we witnessed incredible skill and understanding from all of the staff – ensuring that not only did our daughters receive the best possible attention, but that myself, Annie and Cellan were also supported.
Through our experience with the Special Care Nursery we learnt that it services a large geographical area (PNG to Townsville) and has the capacity to care for babies that reach 29 weeks gestation and weigh greater than 1kg. Additionally the team arranges medical transportation for unwell babies and provides ongoing support and care for all the families involved. At present it is funded for 20 beds allowing care to be provided to over 1,000 babies each year. After experiencing the attention and support of such a wonderful team, I asked myself: What can I do to give back?
That’s how the Little Steps 12-Hour Gymathon was born. A day of physical challenge, named by Dr Isabella, who led the delivery of our twins.
This will be a challenge where I will be participating in 12 fitness classes between 5am and 5pm, alternating between CrossTraining and Muay Thai, to raise money for the amazing service that is the Special Care Nursery. As a supporter, you’re invited to:
- Join me in any class ($10 per class)
- Cheer from the sidelines
- Or support with a kind donation
All funds raised will go toward:
- New medical equipment to improve care
- Developmental care initiatives and quality improvement activities, such as creating a library for parents to read to their babies
- And many other projects that enhance care for the tiniest patients.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for your generosity. Every little step makes a huge difference.
Follow and support us on social media for more information:
Instagram: @littlestepscairns
Facebook: Little Steps Cairns Gymathon
My Achievements
Updated Profile Pic
Received 5 Donations
Reached Goal
Increased Target
Thank you to my Sponsors
$50
Thomas Herridge
$50
Margaret Ferguson
$569
Anonymous
UK Donations
$200
Anonymous
Cash donations
$727
Patrick Doherty
Well done Coach Nathan and everyone who attended!
$150
Patrick Doherty
Well done Coach Nathan!
$28.81
Hannah Wilson
Congratulations on such a huge effort for a wonderful cause
$106.75
Jake Galpin
Great effort DF Gym crew!
$28.81
Gillian
$55.95
Martin Ferguson
$106.75
Lucy Ferguson
$28.81
Julie
Well done 😊
$23.81
Sari Lorner
What an amazing effort!
$28.81
Aileen Dugdell
$28.81
Lauren Foster
Fantastic effort for a wonderful cause!
$55.95
Adrienne
Go you legend
$106.75
Hannah Absalom
$34.40
Aimee Mathes
$10
Hilary Fay
$28.81
Sylvia Lokollo
$34.40
Dino Van Der Ent
Thank you a great cause and fun training sessions
$54.75
The Taits
$34.40
Ashley Shaw
Go Nate!
$55.95
Edwards
$28.81
Bee Asdillo
Would have loved to join but sick at the moment. Goodluck tomorrow 🙌🏼
$55.95
Alicia Smith
Will be at the 11am session with Carter and the Summit crew - happy to make the donation :)
$28.21
Andrea
Go on ya mad yoke !!
$55.95
Tarrant Green
$28.81
Shirley Skewes
$28.81
Shirley Skewes
$33.68
Fraser Greenwood
Workout 3/4/5
$20
Peta Hood
Nice work Nath. Such a beautiful cause x
$45.30
Hilary
Workouts 5,6,7,8
$23.81
Kat Van Wyk
2 spots for workout 5!
$50
Kelly M
Go Nathan & fam! Really admire what you're doing
$28.81
Sandie T
$23.81
Brooke Harris
2x spots for workout 5 please 😊
$54.75
Sofia, Joe And Luca
A beautiful cause to support. Incredible effort, Nathan and fam xxx
$55.95
Marg Prior
Go for it buddy! I am the proud grandparent of a 28 week premi baby girl who is doing amazing and is nearly 4 or in her words “most all 4”!
$25
Lisa Doyle
Rather you than me Nathan.
$11.92
Becky Ojala
Good luck!
$106.75
Grateful 'premmie' Parent
Forty-two years ago my first baby had to be delivered 7 weeks early. She was born at the CBH and was in the Special Care Nursery for 3 weeks, where she received wonderful care, as did we. Congratulations on organising this fund-raiser and best of luck to you and your beautiful family.
$106.75
Dom & Meg
Amazing cause mate! Fantastic work getting it going and look forward to being part of it. I’ll join you for workouts 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9
$269.13
Eat Real Cairns
Happy to support a great cause x
$50
Tina Anderson
$50
Stefanie Oberprieler
Amazing work! Cairns Special Care Nursery is such a valuable resource for saving little lives.
$540
Incredibuild
Nice one Mate your a legend 🙏
$106.75
Cameron & Natalie
Amazing go for it.
$112
Nathan Holsgrove
Workout 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
$50
Sam Parker
Amazing work Nathan... I'm not sure I can make it to one of the classes but it sounds like such a good cause. All the Best :)
$28.81
Anonymous
What a wonderful cause Nathan! Will be cheering for you 😊😊
$28.43
Jarrod Coghlan
All the best for this mate!
$55.95
Kelli
All the best with the fundraising Nathan. The girls are gorgeous. SCBU is very close to our heart too.
$28.81
Natarsha Pye
$106.12
Garry
Great cause mate, behind you all the way!
$50
Patricia O Neill
Great cause Nathan, good luck!
$540
Clinicare Qld - Nursing Specialists
What a great cause. Keep up the great work.
$540
Iris Ferguson
So proud of you Nathan . Best of luck with fundraising 👌
$28.43
Twm Holsgrove And Family
Good luck Nath, from everyone back home!
$28.43
Sarah Volpe
Great work Nathan! Such a good cause 👏
$54.84
Hayley And Josh
$54.84
Dhikrillah Fahuda
May you have lots of goodness and blessing in return 🤍🤍🤍
$54.84
Lisa Williams
$53.64
Stacey & Gavin Negri
Great job Nathan (and Annie) Both my pregnancies landed us in the SCN (17 days with Hayley and 19 with the twins) Its definitely a journey and worth every bit of your effort!!
$106.12
Bloom And Grow Physiotherapy
$28.43
Jamie & Lowri
Great cause mate. All the best with the challenge
$106.12
Relished Food & Gifts Mareeba
Goodluck!!! 👏👏
$106.12
27 Degrees
Sending lots of energy vibes for the 12 hours!! 😄
$106.12
Reds Joinery
$54.84
Deb Ketchell
Inspiring stuff!
$311.70
Qem
Good Luck - such a good cause!
$106.12
Ross Weber Plumbing
Nice work Nath!
$28.43
Melissa Parrish
Best of luck for the fundraising, a great cause!!
$600
By Heart Photography
Legend
$54.84
Tracy Gould
You've got this Nathan such a precious cause
$28.43
Janine Kelly
$28.43
Chrissie Gartlan
Go Mr Nathan
$28.43
Sue Oreilly
Hope you reach your goal.
$50
Kerrie Huiskes
$54.84
Lydia Tait
$28.43
Rylee Harrison
Go Nay Nay
$28.43
Adrian
$54.84
Patricia Ferguson
$54.84
Luke Ace
Well done Nath, awesome effort for such a great cause! Good luck! 💪
Good stuff Nathan, that looked like Ironman level toughness and for a great cause.