Samuel Morris Foundation

The Samuel Morris Foundation, established in March 2007, is Australia's only charity supporting children disabled by near drowning (or other hypoxic brain injuries) and preventing future drowning deaths and disabilities through education and awareness. In Australia and other developed nations drowning is one of the three leading causes of accidental death in 0-4 year olds. In some jurisdictions drowning is in fact the leading cause of injury related death in this age group. Sadly the death toll from drowning is only part of the picture………. Every year hundreds of Australian children aged 0-4 are admitted to hospital following a near drowning. Tragically around 35 children in this age group will lose their lives and almost one quarter (22.5%) of those admitted to hospital following a near drowning will suffer a brain injury due to lack of oxygen that will result in disabilities for life. Many of the children who survive with brain injuries will need a wide range of equipment, support and services and the Samuel Morris Foundation is here to help provide it.