2025 Spirit of Kids+ Award Recipient

Maddy Hura is the recipient of the 2025 Donna Shaw Spirit of Kids+ Award, which recognises her outstanding voluntary contributions to her community.

Maddy is the mother of Willow, who was born via an emergency C-section. Following her birth, Willow had difficulty breathing and began experiencing seizures, which resulted in brain damage. She was transported by the Royal Flying Doctors to the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne, where the medical team worked to reduce swelling and prevent further damage. Willow spent 31 days in hospital.   

With an early diagnosis of cerebral palsy, Willow began attending Kids+ for intensive therapy as part of her early intervention plan, leading to promising progress for which her family is extremely grateful.

This experience inspired Maddy to address the lack of access to intensive therapy in her rural Mallee Region (Mildura) community. In 2025, Maddy and her team worked tirelessly to raise funds to bring a group of expert paediatric therapists from Kids+ in Geelong to Mildura. Their goal was to provide an intensive therapy program for local babies and children with disabilities, who often struggle to access these vital services. The Kids+ team immersed themselves in the community, working with nine families, while Maddy coordinated everything from morning coffees to accommodation, supported by generous local businesses.

Kelsey Jamieson, General Manager of Therapy at Kids+, said, "It's hard to capture the depth of Maddy's commitment to the community and her efforts to support others. Maddy is driven to uplift her local community; she thinks beyond herself and her own family, celebrating and supporting others while navigating her own family’s journey."

Find our more about Maddy, Willow and their journey here.