New date for Red Nose Day Friday August 9

Macleay residents are urged to get involved when Red Nose Day celebrates its 31st year Friday, August 9. Debuting a new focus and a new date, the charity organisation hopes to lead the way in reducing sudden and unexpected infant deaths (SIDS).

After feedback on previous years, Red Nose chose the new date in August to allow more people, including schools, businesses and bereaved families to become more involved in the day. Since 1989 Red Nose has invested over $17 million into life-saving research and education programs and as a result, this has reportedly seen a 85% reduction in SIDS deaths.

"Over the past 31 years Red Nose has proudly earned its place as Australia's leading authority on safe sleep, pregnancy and bereavement support for families affected by the death of a child and as such we are well-positioned to make a significant impact in the area of sudden and unexpected infant deaths," Red Nose CEO Keren Ludski said.

Ongoing support is still critical, as according to the latest figures, over 3,000 children still die each year during pregnancy, infancy and childhood. Red Nose' strives to reduce these numbers to zero. All funds raised on Red Nose Day will directly benefit the community through funding vital research, education and bereavement support.

"Having personally experienced the devastating pain and grief from losing my precious son, Ben, to SIDS in 1998 - I don't want any more families to have to go through what we went through," Ms Ludski said.

"We're encouraging Australians to get behind Red Nose Day this year, so we can invest more money into life-saving research to unlock the reasons why babies continue to die, and keep our vital support services going so families can continue to access free 24/7 counselling and support for as long as they need it."

Red Nose has made enormous progress in reducing SIDS and SUDI (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy) rates. It is also committed in 2019 to discovering the reasons behind the continuing SID and SUDI deaths.

"Red Nose also has some exciting new research being funded and findings to be announced in the coming weeks," Ms Ludski said.

"How many lives lost is too many? Red Nose firmly believes that, with the ongoing support of generous Australians, together we can and will reach zero."

Donations can be made through rednoseday.org.au or by purchasing a product including the iconic red nose online or at BIG W and other retailers. Alternatively, get involved by hosting a fundraising event any time in July or August, register at rednoseday.org.au/get-involved/.

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