Red Nose Day? I’ll cop that one on the chin

We’ve been putting on a clown face for 29 years, and it’s helping

Sadly, little Australian babies are still dying in their sleep, but the good news, actually scratch that, the great news is, thanks to our many donations since 1988 the number of SIDS deaths has dropped by 80%

FOLKS, I was a bit shocked to realise that this year’s Red Nose Day was last Friday and I missed it. Talk about feeling red-faced. When I mentioned it to Long Suffering Wife she was just as surprised, but admitted that she didn’t recall seeing anyone sporting a red nose, or an “I couldn’t Possumly wear a Red Nose’’ badge last Friday either.

So, in the spirit of better late than never, I sat down to scribble this column the day after Red Nose Day and was struck by the thought that, hopefully, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is no longer a “thing’’.

Perhaps it had been eradicated and now there’s no need for us to wear clown noses on the last Friday of June each year. A quick internet search revealed that I was wrong. Again. Sadly, little Australian babies are still dying in their sleep, but the good news, actually scratch that, the great news is that thanks to our many donations since 1988 (yes, Red Nose Day really has been going for 29 years) the number of SIDS deaths has dropped by 80%.

Just let that sink in for a moment: 80% fewer infants have died in this country thanks to the efforts of the Red Nose team. How wonderful is that? And this marvellous charity continues to fund nationwide research, training and education, which will result in far fewer Australian babies dying now and in the future.

While their noble goal is to reduce the infant mortality rate to zero, they’ve also expanded operations to help babies during pregnancy, as well as infancy and childhood.

And, more importantly, they’re also providing funds to counsel and support grieving parents, and families, who have lost a bub or young child.

Frankly folks, just that service alone is worth digging deep for. So, if you’d like to learn more and, more importantly, make a donation, then check out their website at rednose.com.au.

Plus, I can personally vouch that they won’t make fun of your slightly red face just because you forgot to remember this year’s Red Nose Day.