Tayla with her BIG W campaign token. Photos: Supplied.
Illawarra teen Tayla has spent more time in hospital than most kids her age — but this Christmas, her artwork is helping brighten the days of other young patients just like her.
The 13-year-old’s sleepy koala and kangaroo design has been chosen for BIG W’s annual Christmas Charity Wrap and Heart Token campaign, with every purchase raising funds for children’s hospitals across Australia.
“I liked the idea that something I made could help raise money for other kids receiving care in hospitals that has helped me so much,” Tayla said.
Tayla has spent much of her life in and out of hospital due to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects the body’s connective tissues.
It’s a condition her mum Reanne and sisters also live with.
For Tayla, it means recurring joint dislocations, a non-functioning bowel that requires an ileostomy bag, and ongoing issues with nutrition absorption.
“Instead of just packing for school and eating breakfast, my day begins with medication, which some days can be up to 12 different medications, managing my stoma bag, and preparing a backpack that pumps vital fluids into my body throughout the day,” she said.
“But I stay positive and love spending time with my family and my cavoodles Uno and Millie who never leave my side.”
Art isn’t just a hobby for Tayla, it’s a source of calm and escape.
“Art helps me relax. It makes me feel better because it distracts me from my pain and everything else going on,” she said.
“It’s something I’ve done since I was little so it brings me inner peace.”
It’s why Tayla threw herself into the creative process, sketching multiple ideas before settling on a sleepy Christmas koala and kangaroo.
“I chose it because I love wildlife and animals and I love Christmas, and I thought it would be cool to mix them together,” she said.
“They both make me happy so I thought, why not?”
Tayla with her artwork on wrapping paper.
The reaction from family and friends has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Everyone has been really supportive and were so excited to see my design, which made me feel really proud,” she said.
“They all thought that the koala was especially cute.”
She credits the Child Life Therapy program, by the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation and BIG W, for helping her through more than 20 surgeries and countless admissions.
“Child Life Therapy makes my stays in hospital a little brighter,” she said.
“I love being able to play, do my art and participate in activities that aren’t just about my admission. Child Life makes me smile and lets me just be a kid.
“The Child Life therapists … are there to explain what’s happening, they distract me when things get painful, and give me space to play, laugh and feel in control.”
It’s why being part of the BIG W charity campaign means so much to her.
“Tokens can help bring joy to people this Christmas and make other kids’ time in hospital a little brighter too,” she said.
She is encouraging shoppers to support the Christmas Charity Wrap and Heart Tokens, which includes designs from 11 young kids in hospital care, with 100 per cent of every purchase helping fund programs like Child Life Therapy.
“The funds raised go to helping kids like me that are going through tough times in hospital,” she said.
“Not everyone will be able to spend Christmas at home this year, so raising funds for programs like Child Life Therapy can mean a lot.”
Her message to families is simple:
“You never know when your child might need Child Life Therapy.
“Hopefully they don’t, but if they do, you’ll know they have someone in their corner helping them understand everything that is going on while they’re going through something that might be one of the scariest things in their life.”
2025 Charity Wrap and Heart Tokens are in BIG W stores nationwide until Christmas. In addition, BIG W is contributing an additional $20,000 to Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.
