Buggies for Good celebrates eight years

Through global charitable initiative, ‘Buggies for Good’, award-winning Kiwi buggy brands, phil&teds and Mountain Buggy, have rehomed over 500 juvenile products to families and organisations in need.

Launched in 2009, the company celebrates eight years of helping others.

phil&teds Chief Cook & Bottle Washer, Campbell Gower, says “Buggies for Good is all about giving back - helping deserving families, communities and organisations to keep on, keepin' on.”

Along with the company’s sample product and seconds stock, the organisation collects pre-loved phil&teds and Mountain Buggies from around the world. All of which are given a warrant of fitness to ensure they’re in good working order, before being donated back into the community.

“Since the programme’s launch, families and organisations - including Australian children’s hospice - Bear Cottage, an orphanage in South Africa, and New Zealand's Ronald McDonald House - are now able to support their cause more easily.

“Our work truly makes a difference to the lives of people around the world,” he says. “We’re genuinely proud of this.”

The idea was based on an airline initiative, where air hostesses asked passengers to donate change to support good causes.

“It was on a flight when I suddenly thought we should be doing this. There’s plenty of love and life left in our products, even after three or more kids. So, we created Buggies for Good - a programme that offers real help for parents and caregivers, and is authentic to us,” Mr Gower says.

“It just grew from there! Consumers began contacting us soon after, asking if they could donate their old phil&teds or Mountain Buggy to the cause. Together, it became our way of giving back to the community.”

Sydney’s Grace Centre for Newborn Care at The Children's Hospital at Westmead recently received a buggy through Buggies for Good.

Josie Dincel, Founder of non-profit community group Ward Angels, which source donations for the hospital, says “parents can be in the NICU with their baby for months on end. Having this lovely, brand new pram available on the ward means that, as their baby gets bigger and stronger, caregivers will be able to take them outside for short walks around the gardens.

“This pram will take hundreds of babies outside for their first ever moments in the sun and fresh air, and we think that is so special.”

This international company wants to do more.

“If you’ve got one of our buggies that you want to give the push, or know of an organisation or family that we can help, email buggiesforgood@philandteds.com.