The event raised ₤15 million. Since then, charities around the world have continued to address the tragedy.
A recent survey of almost 400 new Aussie parents and parents-to-be found sudden infant death syndrome was their number one fear.
With less than a month until Red Nose Day — Friday, August 12 — Red Nose Australia has released new data showing parents of newborns and those expecting are extremely concerned about SIDS.
Red Nose Australia surveyed almost 400 new parents and parents-to-be across Australia throughout June and July, asking them their top worries about becoming a new parent.
Released to launch the 2022 Red Nose Day fundraising appeal, results showed:
• 90 per cent of respondents said they were worried about SIDS;
• 70 per cent said they were worried about stillbirth; and
• 70 per cent said they were worried about general baby safety.
The number of respondents worried about SIDS was far greater than the number of those who said they were worried about their own sleep — just 55 per cent.
However, new parents and those expecting were seeking to allay their fears, with 80 per cent of those surveyed saying they had reached out for advice or support about their worries.
Most were looking online, with 70 per cent saying they had turned to the internet for information, which was more popular than going to friends or family (60 per cent).
About 2200 babies are stillborn in Australia each year — that’s one in 135 pregnancies ending in stillbirth (where a baby dies after 20 weeks of pregnancy, earlier deaths are miscarriages).
The most recent SIDS data is for 2019, which showed 112 babies died of SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents that year.
Together, nine little lives are lost in Australia every day to stillbirth, SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents.
Red Nose Day aims to raise $800,000. Every dollar raised helps to save little lives by funding research and practical support services such as the Red Nose Safe Sleep Advice Line, which new parents can call if they are concerned about baby sleep safety.
Funds also go towards Red Nose Australia’s 24/7 counselling and support services for grief-stricken families who lose a baby. Red Nose Australia also has a suite of evidence-based stillbirth prevention information online for mums-to-be.
Australians are encouraged to get silly for a serious cause by getting involved or donating to Red Nose Day: rednoseday.org.au
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