Women in Trucking Australia (WiTA) has joined forces with a charity dedicated to making a difference – setting a fundraising target of $40,000.
WiTA is partnering with River’s Gift for its upcoming BP Australia TOOTS Awards dinner at the Darwin Convention Centre, being held on Saturday July 5, 2025.
River’s Gift is a charity dedicated to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) research and prevention.
As part of the ‘Driving Hope’ fundraising campaign, WiTA is encouraging truck drivers from right across the country to purchase a Hope the Elephant plush toy.
Then place this cute little mascot on your truck’s dash, to help share the journey and spread hope to families who’ve been affected by SIDS.
“Linking arms with an organisation that has a presence and impact right across every corner of Australia is so important to us,” said Karl Waddell, Co-founder of River’s Gift
“Whether it’s in cities, regional or rural areas, SIDS doesn’t discriminate. This partnership with WiTA helps us reach so many Australian communities and families. Research and education are key to finally stamping out SIDS, and we look forward to seeing the ripple effect of this partnership spread across the country.”
L-R: Co-Founder of River’s Gift Alex Hamilton, TGR Transport Operations Manager Amy with baby Maggie, and Co-Founder of River’s Gift Karl Waddell. Image: River’s GiftKarl Waddell and Alex Hamilton established River’s Gift after the sudden loss of their baby son, River, at just 128 days old.
River’s Gift is Australia’s only SIDS-focused charity. It supports bereaved families and funds pioneering research into the genetic causes of SIDS through the University of South Australia, as well as delivering education on safe sleep practices to communities and health services nationwide.
River was gifted a baby blue elephant soft toy when he was born so Hope the Elephant became River’s Gift’s mascot, now with her own children’s book about Finding Hope whilst educating parents on SIDS and safe sleep.
Since the current Driving Hope campaign kicked off, a number of transport operators have thrown their support at the initiative.
Among these is Geelong based TGR Transport, which launched this year’s River’s Gift campaign with a $500 donation. As passionate supporters of the cause, the TGR team is also helping raise awareness by giving Hope the Elephant pride of place on their truck dashboards – a visible symbol of their commitment to stamping Out SIDS.
TGR Transport is supporting the cause, with Hope the Elephant being placed on its truck dashboards. Image: River’s GiftThe partnership also resonates deeply with the trucking community through families like Kristine and Dan Hillcoat, who tragically lost their five-month-old son, Matty, to SIDS in October 2011.
In Matty’s honour, they established Matty Hillcoat’s Truckies Day Out, an annual fundraising event held in Gympie, Queensland, that brings the trucking community together to celebrate Matty’s memory and raise funds for River’s Gift.
Kristine and Dan are a proud trucking family who have used their loss to fuel a legacy of purpose and support, with all funds from their event directed to help River’s Gift in stamping Out SIDS.
“When I first heard about River’s Gift through Matty Hillcoat’s Truckies Day Out in Gympie – as a parent, the organisation’s work struck a chord,” said Lyndal Denny, CEO of WiTA.
“As a mum of two and grandmother to six-month-old Daisy, the thought of losing a child to SIDS was excruciating. River’s Gift’s focus on preventing and eliminating SIDS is remarkable, and the board quickly recognised the organisation as an important charitable cause for WiTA to support and align with.”
Click here to purchase your Hope the Elephant.
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