Pharmacy Daily | Blooms ‘bun in the oven’ fundraiser

GIDGET Angel, Craig Anderson, delivered an emotional speech at the Blooms The Chemist pharmacist-owner's meeting recently about his personal battle with perinatal anxiety and depression, and why the pharmacy network's partnership supporting Gidget Foundation Australia is so important.

Hosted at the Blooms The Chemist Support Office in Mascot, the meeting provided the opportunity for 75 pharmacist-owners and support office staff to host a 'Bun In The Oven' fundraising event, which raised more than $3,500 for Gidget Foundation Australia.

The bake sale was open to everyone in the building and to ensure minimal impact on the environment, all food ware, including plates and cutlery were paper or bamboo.

Blooms The Chemist has been a partner of Gidget Foundation Australia since 2020, raising awareness of perinatal depression and anxiety and providing support for expectant and new parents through this new stage of life.

Since the partnership began, Blooms The Chemist has raised close to $300k through a range of fundraising activities across the pharmacy network.

Gidget Foundation Australia CEO, Arabella Gibson, acknowledged the continuous contribution of Blooms The Chemist and its role supporting the organisation.

"Pregnancy and the birth of a new child are a time of significant change for expectant and new parents and can be a trigger for perinatal depression and anxiety," she said.

"Education and greater awareness of the symptoms and the steps mothers and fathers can take is so important, and why Gidget Foundation Australia is grateful for the partnership and generosity received from Blooms The Chemist, which helps us provide essential support for those in need."

Gidget Angel is a person who advocates for the foundation by sharing their personal story.

Anderson thanked Blooms The Chemist for their support, which resulted in his initial diagnosis with a postnatal anxiety disorder.

"We didn't have the easiest of starts to parenthood with some minor health issues, lack of sleep, and problems breast feeding, which had an impact on our mental wellbeing as parents," he said.

"My wife and I had our own experiences with perinatal depression and anxiety, and the support we have received from the team at Gidget Foundation has helped me slowly regain the confidence in myself to enjoy time outdoors with my son.

"I am not embarrassed or ashamed of my diagnosis or experience.

"I'm proud of the fact I had the resilience and strength to seek help," he added.

Blooms The Chemist CEO, Emmanuel Vavoulas, acknowledged the importance of the partnership saying "our pharmacists are deeply engaged in their local communities providing greater access to health and wellbeing, and expert advice and guidance to ensure people get the right care and support in the moments that really matter.

"Our partnership with Gidget Foundation Australia ensures we support expectant and new parents at a time of real need and help build greater awareness of perinatal depression and anxiety.

"The whole day was a great opportunity to showcase our passion and commitment we, as a brand, have for our charity partners," he explained.

The following three competitions were held during the day to further encourage engagement and donations:

Best Decorated - judged by CEO Emmanuel Vavoulas;

People's Choice - gold coin donation to vote; and

First to sell out.

Pictured top L-R: Phoebe Barrett, Blooms The Chemist Brand Marketing Coordinator and Kate Bird, Gidget Foundation Australia Partnerships and Operations Coordinator.