This June, your donation can help accelerate spinal cord injury research and give you the chance to own a very special piece of Penguin Bloom history.
As part of SpinalCure’s Countdown to a Cure End of Financial Year Appeal, everyone who makes a tax-deductible donation of $100 or more before 30 June will automatically go into the draw to win one limited-edition archival print of a beautiful watercolour illustration of Penguin. One winner will be selected at random following the close of the appeal.
Generously donated by Sam and Cam Bloom, the 30cm x 30cm print is signed by the artist and celebrates the upcoming release of The Little Bird That Fell, a new children’s picture book inspired by the beloved Penguin Bloom story.
A story that inspired millions
Penguin Bloom tells the incredible true story of Sam Bloom, a Sydney mother who was left paralysed from the chest down following a tragic balcony fall while on holiday in Thailand.
As Sam struggled to adjust to life with a spinal cord injury and battled depression, her family rescued an injured magpie chick they named Penguin. What began as an act of compassion soon became a source of healing. Through Penguin’s rehabilitation, Sam found a renewed sense of purpose, while the small bird brought joy, hope and connection back to their family.
The remarkable story was beautifully documented through Cameron Bloom’s photography and Bradley Trevor Greive’s bestselling book, Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family. It later became a major motion picture starring Naomi Watts and Andrew Lincoln, introducing the Bloom family’s journey to audiences around the world.
Now, a new generation of readers will discover Penguin’s story through The Little Bird That Fell, which retells the tale from the perspective of the rescued magpie chick herself.
Written by Bradley Trevor Greive and illustrated by award-winning artist Gabriel Evans, the picture book offers a gentle yet powerful message about friendship, resilience, hope and healing. The book will be released on 1 September 2026.
Supporting research that changes lives
We’re incredibly grateful to Sam and Cam Bloom for their continued support of spinal cord injury research.
In addition to donating this exclusive prize, 10% of proceeds from sales of The Little Bird That Fell will be donated to SpinalCure, helping to fund transformative research aimed at restoring function and improving quality of life for people living with spinal cord injury.
How to enter
Simply make a tax-deductible donation of $100 or more to SpinalCure’s Countdown to a Cure EOFY Appeal before 30 June 2026 and you’ll automatically be entered into the draw to win the signed limited-edition Penguin print.
Every donation helps us accelerate research to restore function and ultimately find a cure.
Donate today and help us continue the Countdown to a Cure.
Prize draw terms and conditions apply.