A banner once used on a hot-air balloon to help in the search for Daniel Morcombe was the focal point during an event to honour the Sunshine Coast teenager, now in its 20th year.
Today marks the 2024 Day for Daniel, with Palmwoods becoming a sea of red in an effort to raise awareness for child safety.
Denise and Bruce Morcombe led the Walk for Daniel, held this morning as part of the day, from Suncoast Christian College to Briggs Park.
This year’s Day for Daniel is set to be the biggest yet with 8500 schools, early learning centres and workplaces involved in Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness event.
“From its creation with very modest support, now 20 years later, we estimate that some two million Aussies will be participating,” Mrs Morcombe said.
“Day for Daniel is our son’s legacy at work.”
The banner that participants walked through to mark the beginning of the event was once the outer skin of a hot-air balloon.
“That was back in the frantic search days where it would silently drift in the wind above the Noosa hinterland between 2004 and 2007,” Mr Morcombe said.
Mr Morcombe said this year’s Day for Daniel was a time to reflect on the past two decades.
“For 20 years the Daniel Morcombe Foundation has cut through the barriers and done what others thought complicated and difficult.
“We want to take this opportunity to thank Australia for never forgetting Daniel.
“Here’s to another 20 years of unwavering dedication and advocating for children.”
A new educational resource is also being released on Day for Daniel – the Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s first digital children’s book, Wobbly Jelly.
Wobbly Jelly follows the story of a cat learning how to stay safe and recognise its body clues, and adds to the foundation’s free Keeping Kids Safe educational resources.
Australians are urged to wear red today as a symbol of the distinctive t-shirt Daniel was wearing when he went missing.
Donations can also be made to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation so it can continue its work.
The foundation’s Keeping Kids Safe resources offer useful educational tools and advice to facilitate important conversations about personal safety.
Visit danielmorcombe.com.au.
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