SUDDENLY and unexpectedly, nine children die every day in Australia from sleeping and motor vehicle accidents, sudden onset illness, SIDS and stillbirth.
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Red Nose, formerly Sids and Kids, is urging Tamworth residents to support Red Nose Day so it can continue to offer bereavement support to more than 3500 families.
Health and advocacy manager Jane Wiggill said it’s not just parents that feel the loss of a child.
“I think it has a significant impact and everyone’s grief journey is different, you can’t put a timeline on it,” she said.
“Sometimes we have people that access the service straight away, but some people come forward a year later and that can be a challenge.
“I’m a midwife and nurse as well, when I’ve had to deliver babies that are still I’ve found talking about it is so helpful in the healing process.”
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On Wednesday, children from Tamworth Family Daycare banded together in their best reds to support the cause.
Childcare coordinator Narelle Rowe said they have supported Red Nose Day for more than 10 years.
“We think it’s important to support causes that reflect what we’re about which is quality care for children and supporting the local community,” she said.
“We’ve been lucky that it hasn’t affected our carers but it’s important to us to support it.
“It’s something that’s reflected in our policies and procedures, it’s something our educators and carers are educated about – it’s definitely ingrained.”
The Red Nose safe sleeping program, that educates parents on strategies to eliminate risk, has reduced SIDS by 85 percent.
But Ms Wiggill said their work isn’t over, they want to reduce child deaths to zero.
“We’re overseen by a national scientific advisory group, their role is to recommend research initiatives and gaps in the education,” she said.
“It’s important to realise our education practices are reviewed by experts in the field so everything is backed by evidence.”
For more information or parents’ resources visit rednoseday.com.au