Volunteers from across the Central Coast came together at Gosford RSL recently to pack the latest ballerina themed Supertee medical garments before delivering them to Gosford Hospital.
This is the first time the ballerina Supertee has been distributed in Australia, and children at Gosford Hospital are among the very first to receive them.
The Supertee is a medically functional garment designed to look like a costume, ready to bring joy, comfort and imagination to children undergoing treatment.
It was designed by tradie Jason Sotiris after his own daughter battled a rare and aggressive form of cancer in 2018.
Since then the charity has donated more than 25,000 garments to children in hospitals across Australia.
“The ballerina edition marks our first dance-inspired design, after we had requests from families who wanted an alternative to superheroes for their child,” Sotiris said.
“With every Supertee, there’s a story to tell and this one invites children into the world of imagination and dance.
“It’s about helping them feel like a ballerina, not just a patient.”
Designed as a costume first and a medical garment second, each ballerina Supertee includes a tutu, a hand written card from their ‘biggest fan’ and an invitation to dance.
The Supertee is specially designed to bypass medical lines and tubes, provide access to underarms for temperature checks while also being MRI and PET scan friendly.
“This is more than a costume, it’s a moment of joy during a very hard time,” Sotiris said.
“Our hope is that kids will not only wear their ballerina Supertee but dance in it in their hospital rooms.”
Parents can scan a QR code included in each pack that links to a personal message from Jade Wood, Supertee ambassador and former senior artist with The Australian Ballet, inviting children to take part in a specially created dance experience.
“I am inviting families to be part of the moment where a hospital bed becomes a stage, and a child’s imagination takes over,” Wood said.
“As a dancer, I’ve seen firsthand how movement can uplift and inspire.
“I’m so proud to be part of a project that gives children a reason to smile and move, even from a hospital bed.”
Supertee has partnered with Rise & Shine Education, who are helping fund and distribute the first wave of ballerina Supertees.
Individuals and businesses wanting to support the ballerina Supertee rollout can visit www.supertee.org.au/ for more information.
