Harden’s local ambulance vehicles are all sporting large magnetic red noses in support of Red Nose Day – the signature fundraising day for SIDS and Kids.
All of the four paramedics stationed at the Harden Ambulance Station are strong supporters of Red Nose Day, which is being held on Friday, including the two newest members to town.
Newest recruit Gavin Richardson moved to Harden with his wife and two children just two weeks ago and has already felt a connection to the twin town.
“I’m loving Harden,” he said.
“I’ve met a few people around town and everyone has been so welcoming to me and my family it’s the typical country town that I expected.”
Gavin has moved from Sussex Inlet and is loving the sea change hoping to soon get involved in a few sporting groups and maybe enjoy a round of golf or two.
Harden’s other newest paramedic John Kelly was stationed at Harden a little over two months ago and since the move he says things have been great.
“I’ve worked at a few country stations since joining the Ambulance Service in 2005 which have included Narrandera, Tumut, Batlow and Dubbo,” he said.
“Harden is such a friendly town and I’ve met a number of locals who have all been really welcoming.
“The staff at the hospital have also been really friendly too helping to make our job more enjoyable.
“I enjoy working in the country and definitely enjoy working with country people.”
Both of the local ambulance vehicles are sporting red nose magnetic badges with Ambulance Chief Executive Greg Rochford saying the Ambulance Service of NSW is proud to support SIDS and Kids by promoting Red Nose Day.
“Ambulance call takers and paramedics are often the first contact for a grieving parent after the unexpected death of a child and witness first hand the tragic impact of SIDS.
SIDS and Kids is the only healthcare organisation committed to ‘Caring for Families,
Saving Babies Lives’ through the provision of high quality, comprehensive bereavement support for families, safe sleeping education programs to the community and targeted prevention of unexplained stillbirths through research and education.
SIDS and Kids NSW General Manager, Ros Richardson, says it is not possible for SIDS and Kids to evolve its services without support from the corporate sector, community, school groups or organisations like the Ambulance Service of NSW.
“As the national birth rate increases, so too does the number of stillbirths and miscarriages,” Ros said.
“A recent evaluation of our bereavement services across NSW and the ACT shows evidence that SIDS and Kids has a positive impact on grieving families and indicates we need to increase our outreach programs, making our bereavement support more easily accessible to those who need it.
“SIDS and Kids offers education programs, to midwives and healthcare professionals in hospitals across regional New South Wales, but we really need to increase these services to meet the increasing need.
“We need the community’s help to raise the funds to make access to families easier through home visits, to hold workshops and education seminars for health professionals on appropriate care of bereaved families and to educate health professionals on the prevention of childhood deaths.”
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