Advocacy
In The Field
Little Rockers excited to rock red noses and raise funds to end SIDS
Freya Lucas
Aug 08, 2019
Save
Children at early childhood education and care (ECEC) facilities around Australia are getting ready to rock tomorrow, as the Little Rockers Red Nose Disco provides the opportunity to dance, have fun and raise funds for a serious cause.
Red Nose Day is on Friday 9 August 2019, and ECEC services have been encouraged to host a disco in their centre, encouraging all participating children to make a gold coin donation, raising valuable funds for Red Nose’s advocacy, research and bereavement services.Stacie Waterman, Acting Director at Kool Kidz Childcare Mill Park, said families in her service were “so supportive” of the important cause, with Kool Kidz participating annually in raising money for SIDS education and research.
The disco brings colour and excitement to the centre, with Ms Waterman saying “the children are really excited about dressing up tomorrow and wearing their favourite costumes for the disco!”
Earlier this week, the Victorian Government announced they will match the first $20,000 raised by Little Rockers events, meaning ECEC services have an even greater opportunity to make a real impact with their donations. Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) Victoria is encouraging its member sites to support the cause, with President Paul Mondo saying the disco is “an innovative and fun approach to raising funds for a serious issue.
We encourage all our member centres to take part. After all, who doesn’t love to dance with children?!”
ACA Victoria, in conjunction with Little Rockers Radio and the Red Nose Day team, will announce the total funds raised through this initiative at ACA Victoria’s conference in Melbourne on 16 & 17 August.
With nine children still dying suddenly and unexpectedly every day in Australia, funds raised through Red Nose Day fundraising activities, including the Little Rockers Red Nose Disco, go to Red Nose’s advocacy and research programs into the causes of all sudden, unexplained and preventable childhood deaths, educating the community on safe sleeping practices, and supporting families who have been devastated by the sudden and unexpected death of a child.
Founder of Little Rockers Radio, Sarah Morrissey said “It’s been over 10 years since my nephew grew his angel wings and I will never forget the support of Red Nose in helping my family through a time that no person should have to go through.
Ms Morrissey said she was “delighted” to have the support of Nick Staikos, Member for Bentleigh, the Andrews Government and the Department of Health and Human Services in raising funds and awareness.
“Nick Staikos has been a great supporter of the Little Rockers Red Nose Disco for many years and I am extremely grateful for his ongoing support,” said Sarah. “It’s so important to me to raise funds to support Red Nose’s bereavement services because they did so much for our family. And it’s just as important to raise funds for research and education, so no other family has to go through what our family has gone through.”
The Little Rockers campaign has helped to raise over $100,000 for Red Nose over the last four years.
All Victorians are invited to the free public Little Rockers Red Nose Disco presented by iHeartRadio being held at Federation Square on Red Nose Day, Friday 9th August, from 10am-1pm.
Activities include the disco from 11am, a special visit from ABC Kids’ Hoot & Hootabelle; iHeartRadio street team; YouTube Kids Sensation Debbie Doo, childrens’ entertainers, bands, music and more.
For more information about supporting Red Nose, please see here.
Don’t miss a thing
Related Articles
