Today SIDS and Kids annual Red Nose Day is being held nationwide.

SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; this is when young infants die suddenly in their sleep for an unknown reason.

The SIDS and Kids organisation helps fundraise for prevention, a cure, and a way to help cope with losses.

“I think it’s good that this organisation is around,” Mount Isa Family Support Service and Neighbourhood Centre group leader Thecla White said.

“It helps that I can provide information about SIDS to the parents.”

The day has been running for 22 years and has helped achieve an 85 per cent decrease in SIDS deaths throughout Australia.

“We are pleased with the reduction but we want to work at it even more to make the reduction higher,” Red Nose Day Organiser Rachel Condon said.

About 5900 babies have been saved from the disease.

Red Nose Day merchandise is available to purchase from Dick Smith, Best and Less, Blockbuster and many other shops and plazas throughout Mount Isa. - Story: Casey O’Leary. Picture: James Ryan