Geelong tops regional Victoria in Good Friday Appeal as record-breaking amount raised

Residents of the Geelong region are being praised for their generosity as records tumble in this year’s Good Friday Appeal.

Lara’s Emily Cooke was one of the faces of this year’s Good Friday Appeal. Picture: Alan Barber.

Geelong topped regional Victoria in funds raised for this year’s Good Friday Appeal, as a new record-breaking amount is reached across the state.

Geelong raised $236,038, ranking it ahead of Ballarat ($220,265) and the Devenish and Dookie district ($193,240).

Collectively, regional and rural Victoria contributed $5,261,913 to the record-breaking statewide figure of $23,368,724.

The Good Friday Appeal’s executive director Rebecca Cowan highlighted the passion and generosity of the Geelong region.

“Once again, there have been incredible and inventive fundraising initiatives over the state,” she said.

“In Torquay, volunteers rattled tins up and down the Great Ocean Road, while families came together for a fun-day in Inverleigh.

“Thank you to all of the regional communities who have donated their time and money to support the Appeal in raising funds so the Royal Children’s Hospital – and now six key regional health services across the state – can continue to grow and be at the forefront of pediatric care to help sick kids.”

Barwon Health is one of those services that will benefit, with the funding to support new equipment and scholarships to improve the experience and outcomes of children receiving care in regional settings.

The Victorian greyhound racing industry, including Geelong race meetings, smashed their target, raising more than $50,000 for the appeal.

Taxpayers tipped in a $1m donation, announced by Premier Jacinta Allan, whose daughter previously spent several months at the Royal Children’s Hospital following lifesaving surgery.

“You talk to any parent who’s had a child at the Royal Children’s Hospital for a day or for many days, many weeks and many months, each of us come away from that experience having such amazing regard and respect for the world-class health professionals in the hospital,” she said.

Since 1931, the Good Friday Appeal has raised $468m that has gone directly to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Earlier: Lara’s Emily Cooke a face of the Good Friday Appeal

Emily Cooke has been travelling from Lara to the Royal Children’s Hospital for as long as she can remember.

Allison Cooke said her daughter was just three-and-a-half years old when she would catch herself on the sides of doorways, water pouring out of her nose.

It took 12 months and seemingly endless trips to specialists before Emily was diagnosed with an extremely rare type of brain tumour – ganglioglioma.

“I remember the phone call coming in … the neurologist saying we found something and needed to bring her back and check how fast it was growing,” Allison said.

“I remember trying very hard not to cry on the phone.”

Since then, Allison said the team at the RCH had watched Emily grow into the amazing 10-year-old she is now.

This year’s Good Friday Appeal’s new regional funding initiative will bring funding closer to home for children like Emily, who is this year one of the faces of the campaign.

Emily Cooke on the host with firefighter Aiden Stary. Picture: Alan Barber

The initiative will see $2.5m of funds raised split among five regional health services, including Barwon Health.

The initiative coincides with Geelong’s 50th year fundraising for the appeal.

“They are some of her biggest supporters and walk alongside us to advocate and assist Emily living the best life she can,” Allison said.

“This experience has left a lasting impact on our whole family.

“It has not been easy but it has taught us how to step back and be present in the moment.

“It has brought into our lives some amazing people who we will always be eternally grateful for.”

Emily visited the CFA’s Geelong West Brigade on Wednesday to thank the crew who have been fundraising for the appeal for several years.

Geelong businesses have collectively raised more than $7m for the appeal since locals first joined the cause in 1974.

“We are grateful for the way the Geelong community supports the Good Friday Appeal so that children, like our Emily, get the very best care and treatment in Australia,” Allison said.

The appeal last year raised a record-breaking $23,061,320.

Originally published as Geelong tops regional Victoria in Good Friday Appeal as record-breaking amount raised