The National SIDS Council of Australia, trading as SIDS and Kids, is a high-profile and well-respected not-for-profit organisation that boasts an enviable history of success.  It comprises a National Office based in Melbourne with the National Research and Programs Unit largely based in Canberra, and nine Member Organisations (MOs) based in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Hunter Region of NSW, ACT Region, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. 

Over the past 14 years SIDS and Kids, through our health promotion program SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping, has been instrumental in reducing the infant mortality rate by around 84%.

In 1999, based on our success in reducing SIDS and in response to community demand, our member organisations broadened their bereavement services to support families and the community following stillbirth and the sudden and unexpected death of infants and young children regardless of the cause. At the same time we broadened our research focus to include stillbirth. In 2002 a new name, SIDS and Kids, was adopted to reflect our expanded charter.

While SIDS and Kids has successfully committed itself to research into the possible causes of SIDS and an education program derived from the research, we are now in a position to:

• advocate for and fund research into stillbirth;
• maintain the focus on SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping; and

• provide bereavement support and counselling for families who have experienced stillbirth or the sudden and unexpected death of a child, whatever the cause, from 20 weeks gestation to 6 years of age (in Tasmania bereavement support is provided up to two years).

The SIDS and Kids member organisations supported 990 families in 2003.  This bereavement support was provided by over 13 professional counsellors  and 150 trained volunteer peer supporters.  SIDS and Kids is staffed by 77 full and part time staff nationally, and is supported by approximately 300 volunteers

The organisation is largely self-funded through the Red Nose Day Campaign and associated activities.  Red Nose Day is the cornerstone of SIDS and Kids fundraising Australia wide. It is widely acknowledged as the first “signature” day of its kind in Australia. The concept was adopted by SIDS and Kids in 1988 and is used to raise money for the wide range of family support programs, community education and research into sudden and unexpected death, from 20 weeks gestation to 2 years of age.

Since its humble beginnings, Red Nose Day has grown to become one of Australia’s highest profile fundraising days with a 97% prompted recognition rate.

The campaign runs primarily  throughout the month of June, culminating in Red Nose Day on the last Friday of the month. A range of quality novelty merchandise forms the basis of our fundraising to the public through partnerships with key retailers. In 2005 our Retail Partners included Coles Supermarkets, Bi-Lo, The Colorado Group and Amcal.