This Friday, 28 October, is Day for Daniel - Australia’s most extensive child safety education and awareness day.

The day honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe – a 13-year-old boy who was abducted from a Sunshine Coast bus stop and murdered.

Day for Daniel falls on the last Friday of October each year and is a national day of action to raise awareness of the importance of child safety, protection and harm prevention.

Lessons are held Australia-wide in early learning centres, schools, businesses, workplaces and communities and aim to make the world safer for children.

This year’s theme is ‘Brave Conversations’ and focuses on challenges and choices about online safety and grooming.

With the countdown on to Day for Daniel, there are a few steps you’ll need to follow to get involved.

Register for Day for Daniel – You can participate and sign up for free, and you’ll receive an information starter pack with the latest child safety resources.

Once registered, you can show your support by:

1. Wear Red

By wearing red, the colour representing child safety and the Foundation, you’ll be helping to remember Daniel and his legacy. Additionally, you can purchase merchandise to decorate your school or workplace.

2. Educate

There are a few ways to educate yourself on the importance of child safety. You can use the Keeping Kids Safe Resources and Day for Daniel lesson plans, watch Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson, or invite a police officer or child safety expert to talk. You can access plenty of resources on the Daniel Morcombe Foundation website.

3. Donate

You can make a contribution online, collect gold coin donations, or hold a sausage sizzle or bake sale to help the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and the vital work they do in the community to keep kids safe.

The Lott is proud to support the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and recently donated an additional $300,000 from Golden Casket unclaimed prize money to help them continue and expand their education programs.

4. Walk for Daniel

This year’s Walk for Daniel on Friday, 28 October, will be the Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s 18th and launches Day for Daniel. It is held annually on the Sunshine Coast and symbolises the journey Daniel was unable to complete himself.

The walk is approximately 4kms from Suncoast Christian College in Woombye to Briggs Park in Woombye.

The event starts at 6am and is expected to finish at 9am. Food and coffee will be available at the walk.

Make sure you remember to register to attend the walk!

The countdown is on! Are you red, red, ready?