Builders tee off again to support River’s Gift

THE Geelong construction industry has walked the fairways again on a fundraising golf day in Torquay to support research into sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The River’s Gift Construction Cup is held every October at Peppers The Sands Resort, and drew a field of 102 to the course on Friday, who enjoyed golf, lunch and a live auction on the way to raising more than $32,000.

Karl and Alex Waddell lost their son, River, to SIDS seven years ago. They then established River’s Gift, which has raised more than $500,000 towards world-leading SIDS research.

Mr Waddell thanked the many companies who had supported this year’s Construction Cup, including major sponsor Southern Star Group of Companies, shootout sponsor Volare Tile Concepts and hole in one sponsor Totally Workwear.

“We’ve got 10 hole sponsors out there, we’ve got a drink cart sponsor, so there’s really good support financially for River’s Gift and this day’s just going from strength to strength.”

Mr Waddell said there was no government funding for SIDS research.

“There used to be, many, many years ago when SIDS was far more prominent, but nowadays we lose 100 to 120 babies a year and it’s nowhere near as big as it used to be.

“You probably remember Red Nose Day – it was the most prominent day on the charitable calendar – and we were losing 600 or 700 babies a year.

The fact that the numbers have come right back is brilliant, and that’s testament largely to the safe sleep campaign.

“But one lost is too many, and we’re trying to do all we can.”