AU – SIDS and Kids and Melbourne RRT June 2016
In Australia each year over 3,500 families experience the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or child, either through stillbirth or during the first month of life, from sudden unexpected death in infancy (SIDS or fatal sleeping accidents), SUDC (sudden unexpected death in childhood) or accident.
In June many came from far and wide to the memorial services held around Australia to support the SIDS and Kids organisation, who are dedicated to saving the lives of babies and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood and supporting bereaved families.
The purpose of the day called ‘Red Nose Day’ was to remember lost loved ones and provide ongoing support for those bereaved. This event is held annually on the last Friday in June and is the major fundraiser for SIDS and Kids. The first Red Nose Day was held in Victoria in 1987.
SIDS and Kids is a member of both the International Society for the study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death (ISPID) and the International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA). Through these memberships they maintain strong relationships with international researchers and research centres. Since 1988 SIDS and Kids has contributed over $16.5 million to research into the possible causes and prevention of infant death, SIDS, stillbirth and health promotion.
On the 24th of June 2016 an event was held at the St Michael’s Church in Melbourne by the SIDS and Kids organisation. A team of 6 RRT personnel were included in this event providing the catering for the families attending the event.
Supported by a good canteen and RRT’s fully-stocked trailer at the venue, sausage rolls, pasties and cakes were served along with hot and cold drinks. It was really heartening to engage with these families and witness their expressions of sincere appreciation for the catering.
The SIDS and Kids team were great to work with on this event, and we consider it a privilege to be included in an event that reached out to those in our community who need our compassion and support.
Having been involved with this worthy cause, we trust that SIDS and Kids continues to be supported for their excellent work in the community which to date has helped reduced the mortality rate for infants by 80% – we look forward to the opportunity of working with them again!
