Shine Blue with River’s Gift – annual giving campaign
Australia’s leading SIDS research funding charity, River’s Gift, are encouraging schools, businesses and community to Shine Blue with them on Thursday November 7th. Marking the 13th anniversary of the passing of 4 month-old baby, River Waddell to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), the campaign aims to shine a spotlight on SIDS. Funds raised will help us further develop the SIDS biobank resource and drive genetic research at the University of South Australia (UniSA), together with educating the Australian community on infant safe sleep principles and practice.
Transferrable ‘sky blue heart’ hand tattoos are a huge feature of Shine Blue, with community being encouraged to wear their heart on their hand! Fundraising facilities have been established for schools, childcare centre, hospitals and community, along with Shine Blue ‘Star’ sponsorship packages being available for businesses to purchase.
Individuals
Purchase your River’s Gift tattoos via our online shop and proudly wear your heart on your hand on Thursday, November 7th
Schools and Childcare Centres
We would love your school or childcare centre to “Shine Blue” with us in November ’24! Children and teachers can easily get behind our cause by wearing their “heart on their hand” 
– a sky blue heart temporary tattoo. By contributing a gold coin donation, you’ll help us raise vital funds.
In 2023, the schools that participated in Shine Blue engaged in more than just temporary tattoo wearing. Some schools sold blue coloured donuts, others dressed blue for the day and some engaged in fundraising activities such as sausage sizzles and bake sales. All participating schools utilised personalised fundraising pages (we can set this up for you!) and QR coded posters to encourage donations.
Get in touch to request your digital fundraising kit and temporary tattoos for your school.
Please contact Karl Waddell on 0488 111 182 or via email kwaddell@riversgift.org
Download our Shine Blue 2024 School Information document here
Businesses
Become a Shine Blue Supporter or a Shine Blue Star by visiting our website shop and purchasing a $1,300 Shine Blue Star package, or a $500 Shine Blue Supporter package.
Our Shine Blue Stars receive Shine Blue social media tiles for your business to use across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, temporary tattoos, electronic direct email (EDM), and Social Media Recognition. Go to the River’s Gift shop to Shine Blue with us!
$1300 Shine Blue Star $500 Shine Blue Supporter
Share those photos!
Share a photo of your tattoo on social media tagging River’s Gift and choosing from the following hashtags:
#ShineBlue #StampingOutSIDS #RiversGift #Heartonthehand
“Our genetic biobank will enable us to analyse DNA from SIDS babies to look for genetic causes of SIDS, and by finding these, 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.”
Professor Leanne Dibbens.
“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. I don’t want any other mother to have to wake to this nightmare; this is River’s Gift to the world. By community coming together with us on November 7th and Shining Blue, it’ll make such a profound impact”
Alexandra Hamilton, River’s Gift Co-Founder and River’s Mum
“We’d love for community to come together with us and Shine Blue on November 7th. For 13 years, we’ve been searching for answers as to why our healthy and safely slept son lost his life. Genetic research could hold the key to the puzzle and save future lives.” Karl Waddell, River’s Gift Co-Founder and River’s Dad
To learn more about Shine Blue and ways to get involved, the community are being invited to contact River’s Gift at;
Website: www.riversgift.org
Instagram: @rivers_gift
Facebook: @RiversGift
Contact Karl Waddell on 0488 111 182 or via email kwaddell@riversgift.org
