Members Statement: Red Nose Day

Ms SPENCE (Yuroke) — Tomorrow, 26 June, is Red Nose Day, and I ask that anyone who can donate to support the great work that is done as a result of this funding. Sadly, eight babies die each day in Australia due to health complications at birth, stillbirth and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Red Nose Day helps to raise awareness about SIDS and to provide support to the 3500 Australian families each year who suffer the death of a baby.

On 14 October 2014 I was with my sister-in-law, Helen, when she gave birth to her son Xavier. We knew that he was to be born an angel and this was an extremely traumatic day for Helen and her family and friends. Red Nose Day is often thought of in regard to the tragic loss of life to newborn infants, but I want to also raise the lesser known work that happens where much-loved children do not get to take their first breath. In these instances, as we found out, the volunteers put together packs with wraps and clothes for all sizes so that regardless of the age of the infant lost the family is supported.

I cannot thank SIDS and Kids enough for making sure that little touches that we had not thought of were taken care of. These are a remarkable bunch of people. I will certainly be supporting them and I hope that others can too. Like many groups, you really do not know how valuable their practical assistance is until you need it. Whilst I hope that no-one needs that assistance, I know they might. I will not let a year pass when I do not say thank you by way of support for the Red Nose Day appeal.