BRD Group gets behind 'Day for Daniel'

Each year, communities across Australia unite in red for Day for Daniel, the national child-safety day established by the Daniel Morcombe Foundation (DMF). It’s a day to raise awareness, educate children and families, and support the vital work of keeping kids safe. As a local Queensland-based building design and interior design firm, BRD Group has woven itself into this mission - both through ongoing support, fundraising involvement, and by contributing design expertise to the Foundation’s physical infrastructure. 

What is Day for Daniel?

Day for Daniel is held annually on the last Friday of October and is Australia’s largest national event dedicated to child safety education and awareness.

The event’s motto - Wear Red, Educate, Donate - captures its three pillars:

1. Wear Red - participants don red clothing as a symbol of solidarity, recalling the red shirt Daniel Morcombe was wearing when he disappeared.

2. Educate - schools, early learning centres, businesses, and community groups use DMF’s free resources to teach children how to Recognise, React & Report unsafe situations.

3. Donate - funds raised on the day support the creation and distribution of educational resources and help provide assistance and outreach to children affected by crime.

Over its history, Day for Daniel has grown significantly. In its 20th anniversary year, an estimated 2 million Australians participated, involving over 8,500 schools and workplaces. Day for Daniel is both a fundraiser and an awareness campaign - its impact depends on community engagement as much as direct giving.

While many businesses support Day for Daniel through sponsorship or fundraising, BRD Group’s involvement runs deeper. Their contributions span fundraising support, advocacy, and of course their involvement with building design work for the organisation.

BRD Group have been involved with the Foundation since the inception of Daniel House. The directors of BRD Group, Brad Read, Brenden Creed and Cameron Lincoln have publicly said that as parents themselves, supporting child safety causes such as the Day for Daniel was a natural decision. In other words, their support is not just symbolic - it’s rooted in genuine belief and ongoing commitment.

BRD Group actively promotes and participates in Day for Daniel events. In past years, they have encouraged their team to “get red” and engage in awareness campaigns. This year the team will gather together for a morning tea – dressed in red apparel, while raising funds for the cause and ensuring a reminder of the core messages relayed by DMF.

Where BRD Group’s role becomes truly tangible is in their architectural and design contribution to Daniel House - the building that houses the operations, educational functions, and outreach activities of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.

From the very beginning, BRD Group worked with DMF to develop concept sketches that would support funding applications and stakeholder buy-in. The team zealously progressed into the design and documentation phases, drawing up the final plans for the building. Throughout construction BRD Group celebrated project milestones, such as reaching the “15-month milestone” from completion and reflections on being “honoured to be a part of this worthy cause.” In sum, BRD Group were deeply embedded in the architectural narrative of the Foundation’s physical home.

Why This Matters?

The building that houses an organisation is more than just a headquarters - it is a statement of identity. BRD Group has helped shape how the Foundation is experienced by staff, visitors, and the community. Well-designed spaces can support the Foundation’s educational mission - offering multi-functional zones, resource centres, meeting rooms, and spaces for training, workshops, and outreach. The fact that BRD Group committed professional resources to a non-profit mission signals to clients, partners, and the public that the company’s values align with community wellbeing - not just profit.

How You Can Join in the Mission

If you or your organisation wants to support Day for Daniel or the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, here are practical ways to get involved:

1. Register for Day for Daniel - schools, workplaces and community groups can register to run activities. https://danielmorcombe.com.au/day-for-daniel/

2. Use and share educational resources - DMF offers free resources to help teach children about personal safety, including in digital contexts. https://danielmorcombe.com.au/keeping-kids-safe-resources/

3. Fundraise or donate - create a fundraising page or host events (morning teas, walkathons, merchandise sales) under the Day for Daniel banner.

4. Partner as a corporate sponsor or High Five Club member - organisations can provide ongoing support, visibility, or in-kind contributions to help expand the DMF mission. https://danielmorcombe.com.au/sponsorships-partnerships/high-five/

5. Engage publicly - wear red, post on social media, tag activities with #DayForDaniel, and encourage your network to participate.

BRD Group’s partnership with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation goes beyond traditional corporate sponsorship. Through their building design for Daniel House and their long-term commitment to Day for Daniel, they exemplify how businesses can leverage their core strengths to contribute meaningfully to social causes.

This story is a reminder: raising walls is one thing, but building safer communities, raising awareness, and fostering a culture of child safety is where the true legacy lies.