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).<\/p>\n
The River\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Karl and Alex Waddell lost their son, River, to SIDS seven years ago. They then established River\u2019s Gift, which has raised more than $500,000 towards world-leading SIDS research.<\/p>\n
Mr Waddell thanked the many companies who had supported this year\u2019s Construction Cup, including major sponsor Southern Star Group of Companies, shootout sponsor Volare Tile Concepts and hole in one sponsor Totally Workwear.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got 10 hole sponsors out there, we\u2019ve got a drink cart sponsor, so there\u2019s really good support financially for River\u2019s Gift and this day\u2019s just going from strength to strength.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Waddell said there was no government funding for SIDS research.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere 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\u2019s nowhere near as big as it used to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou probably remember Red Nose Day \u2013 it was the most prominent day on the charitable calendar \u2013 and we were losing 600 or 700 babies a year.<\/p>\n
The fact that the numbers have come right back is brilliant, and that\u2019s testament largely to the safe sleep campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut one lost is too many, and we\u2019re trying to do all we can.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n