Lived-experience charity delivering safe sleep education to 9,500 Queensland families through childcare centres

Thousands of children and families across metro, regional and rural Queensland are receiving a special delivery of children’s books carrying an important message of hope, emotional wellbeing and life-saving safe sleep education. Australian charity River’s Gift, one of the country’s leading SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) research and education organisations, is distributing 9,500 copies of its children’s book Finding Hope to childcare centres across Queensland.

The initiative uses early learning centres to place trusted safe sleep and SIDS awareness information directly into the hands of families, helping ensure parents and carers have access to clear, evidence-based guidance about keeping babies safe while they sleep. The beautifully illustrated story follows Hope the Elephant, River’s Gift’s charity mascot, and gently introduces children to themes of kindness, courage and resilience while
opening meaningful conversations about emotions and hope.

At the back of each book, families will find a QR code linking directly to River’s Gift’s Safe Sleep resources, allowing parents and carers to easily access current safe sleep guidelines, practical advice and educational information about reducing the risk of SIDS. The book distribution also marks the beginning of participating centres joining The Hope Collective, River’s Gift’s early childhood partnership program.

Every one of these books represents a conversation that could help keep a baby safe

Through the Hope Collective, educators gain access to ongoing safe sleep education, resources and training, helping them share important messages with families in ways that are engaging, supportive and accessible. The program enables early learning centres to deliver up-to-date SIDS awareness and safe sleep guidance directly to parents, while also using storytelling to help children explore emotions in a positive and nurturing environment.

River’s Gift Co-Founder and General Manager Karl Waddell said early childhood centres play an important role in helping deliver preventative health education to families.

“Childcare educators are trusted voices in the lives of families,” Mr Waddell said. “Through the Hope Collective, we’re giving educators the tools to share safe sleep information and SIDS awareness with families in ways that are warm, engaging and easy to understand.” “By placing Finding Hope directly into childcare centres, we’re able to reach thousands of families through environments they already know and trust.”

The project itself was funded through River’s Gift’s exclusive charitable partnership with the Gympie Music Muster, where festival-goers helped raise funds during the August 2025 event to bring the Finding Hope initiative to life. Transport and logistics support for the project has been provided by All Purpose Transport (APT), whose regional freight network is ensure the books reach childcare centres across metro, regional and rural Queensland at no charge to the charity.

APT CEO Paul Kahlert said the initiative resonated strongly with the company’s team. “Our team is proud to play a small part in helping deliver such an important message to families,” Mr Kahlert said. “Using our transport network to get these books into childcare centres where they can make a real difference is something our whole organisation has embraced.”

River’s Gift was founded after the sudden loss of four-month-old baby River to SIDS in 2011. In the years since, River’s parents have transformed their grief into action, creating a national charity dedicated to funding research, educating families about safe sleep and supporting bereaved families.

For River’s Gift, the Finding Hope initiative represents more than simply delivering books – it is about helping communities play a role in prevention.

For further information and to actively participate, please click here to visit the Rivers Gift website.

If you have ever been touched by SIDS you will understand how important a project like this is.

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