Allan's Story

Allan Turner Allan is co-founder of Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation, formed in honour of his daughter Zaidee who suddenly died in December 2004 at the age of 7 years and 22 days from a burst blood vessel in her brain.

Allan speaks with passion, experience and conviction about overcoming adversity, maximizing every moment and striving for life-balance. Allan’s message is valuable on both the personal and corporate basis and includes a new look at life and what we can all do when we are alive and, also when we die.You will take away from Allan’s presentation a sense of more to life and death than you have ever thought about before after his presentation.

It’s a profound and timeless message certain to motivate you.

Following the death of Zaidee, Allan successfully obtained a Federal Government grant to allow him to drive Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation and is now the CEO allowing him to spread Zaidee’s message on a national basis.

Allan developed Zaidee’s Rainbow Shoelaces to become the main national symbol for organ and tissue awareness and has successfully obtain support from major sporting team and codes in wearing Zaidee’s laces to show support for his campaign. AFL, NRL, Australian representative teams and even the New Zealand Cricket team have worn Zaidee’s Rainbow Shoelaces.

He has spoken to many media organizations in his quest to increase the organ and tissue donation rate in Australia and New Zealand. Bring something positive from such tragedy. Zaidee gave the greatest gift of all her organs and tissues so others could live. Inspiring Extraordinary what a pair of Rainbow Shoelaces have done.

A powerful story that will never be forgotten.

“When a child dies it is a tragedy. It devastates families, and can destroy them. It is a very tough time for any parent. Allan Turner’s little girl Zaidee died suddenly and unexpectedly, but the shattered family have been able to make great use of the experience to help others. To hear Allan speak is nothing short of inspirational as he takes you through the pain of loss and then the warmth and joy of knowing that her death has not been in vein. The Zaidee Foundation is promoting Organ Donation. Zaidee made a normal life possible for seven other children. This is a wonderful story of faith and human triumph, and I recommend Allan to anyone who is seeking a guest speaker.”
DG John Egan District Governor 9700 2007 – 2008

Allan will share his and Zaidee’s story with you, in the hope of inspiring discussion. He delivers a compelling message from someone admired nationally for his strength in adversity.

Allan says: “I want to share with others how empowering it is to overcome the unthinkable and think of others when in most cases we don’t at all. How in death you could possible save many people’s lives without regret”.

“Many thanks for speaking at our district conference in Mudgee 2008. Your message – that in tragedy there is also hope – was very moving. You left us with a challenge to make a difference. Many Rotary clubs are now ready to take up that challenge and lobby and educate their communities on the need to be an organ donor, in particularly to consider your children as well as potential organ donors.”
DG Jennifer Scott
District Governor 2007-2008 District 9690