Geelong-based charity River’s Gift launched its charity home last weekend, which will be sold to raise funds for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The River’s Gift Charity Home at 17 Gymea St, Mt Duneed was opened to a crowd of nearly 100 people for inspection, with ambassadors The Mik Maks and mascot Hope the Elephant on hand to entertain attendees.
Built by Geelong Homes as part of its pledge to the River’s Gift mission, the three-bedroom charity house’s sale will provide funds to the SIDS DNA biobank at the University of South Australia (UniSA).
Geelong Homes general manager Josh Liston said River’s Gift was having a significant impact on SIDS research.
“We have a long and proud history in the local region, so we are thrilled to work with such an inspiring family-based charity,” he said.
When parents Alexandra Hamilton and Karl Waddell lost their 128-day-old son River to SIDS in 2011 they struggled to find an already-established charity to give their support to.
They subsequently founded River’s Gift to address that gap, and over the past 12 years have become Australia’s largest SIDS-specific organisation, raising over $1.5 million to fund world-leading genetic research into the causes and prevention of the syndrome.
Ms Hamilton said the charity was River’s gift to the world.
“River was with us for only 128 days; such a short life, but he’s left a legacy that is impacting the lives of others,” she said.
“I don’t want any other mother to have to wake to this nightmare.”
UniSA’s Professor Leanne Dibbens said the funds would help enable researchers to analyse DNA from SIDS babies and search for genetic causes.
“By finding these (causes) we will be able to test babies at birth to identify those who are at risk, with these babies being closely monitored in their first year of life,” Prof Dibb said.
Visit avenuefive.com.au to view the River’s Gift Charity Home online.
