Good Friday Appeal: Victorians dig-deep to raise record-breaking $18 million

VICTORIANS have again proved their generous spirit, digging deep across the state to raise a record-breaking total of more than $18 million in the Good Friday Appeal.

VICTORIANS have again proved their generous spirit, digging deep across the state to raise a record-breaking total of more than $18 million in the Good Friday Appeal.

By 7.30pm, more than $7.1 million had been raised for the Royal Children’s Hospital by the Good Friday Appeal in its 87th year, edging towards to the 2017 record. But the midnight total of $18,043,251 completely eclipsed the 2017 total of $17,605,662. LITTLE FIGHTERS BATTLE SERIOUS ILLNESS AT RCH GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL: KICKING GOALS FOR A CAUSE Celebrity guests flocked to a star-studded telethon held at Melbourne Convention Centre, with football legends, reality stars and comedians among those donating their time. Hundreds of volunteers worked the phones late into Friday evening to make sure every last donation made it. And Friday afternoon’s AFL match between St Kilda and North Melbourne was a boost to the cause with a portion of ticket sales going to the appeal. Year-round fundraising ­activities by the auxiliaries, and the Run for the Kids event held earlier this month, collectively added almost $3 million to the cause. Yesterday’s Kick for the Kids at Etihad Stadium also added to the coffers. And the Henley and Villawood Properties charity auction saw the five-bedroom Mickleham house, built with donations of goods and labour, sell for $860,000. About 80,000 people ­attended the Kids Day Out at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Penny Fowler, chairman of The Herald and Weekly Times and the Good Friday Appeal, said volunteers made the day a success. “It’s an amazing tradition to have so many people volunteering up their time throughout the year,” Mrs Fowler said. “It’s that community grassroots spirit of everyone getting together that’s so special.” The day held a special significance for Yarraville parents Kirsty and John Lindsay, who this week celebrated the first anniversary of their now 14-month-old Mav retuning from hospital after spending the first few months of life battling a rare heart condition. “The nurses, staff, volunteers, cleaners — they all become like a second family when you’re in there that long,” Mrs Lindsay said. Elliott Leontini, 4, spent the first four weeks of his life in NICU at the RCH, after he ­suffered a cardiac arrest and other complications at birth. Doctors told his family ­Elliott could die or ­suffer ­severe brain damage. But after treatment he now faces only the challenge of hearing loss. “We owe a lot to this place,” said mum Hannah. Appeal director Anne Randall said the equipment, training, research and education that the campaign funded all contributed to the RCH maintaining its reputation as a world leader in paediatric care. The Herald Sun spoke with a dozen phone bank volunteers, many of whom were veterans of the job. Carol, who is celebrating her 17th year on the phones, said she never forgot her baby sister’s treatment in the caring hands of Royal Children’s Hospital doctors and nurses. “It’s a really good cause and it’s personal for me — it’s something great to do on Good Friday.” A nurse who asked to remain anonymous had been on his feet since 4am working an emergency department shift and then manning phones for the appeal. “Half my patients go to the RCH — it’s so important that I have to be here,” he said. The annual Kids Day Out headlines the fundraising events for the Royal Children’s Hospital today, and thousands showed up at Melbourne Convention Centre. The site also hosts the Good Friday Appeal Super Show, with a line-up of Australian entertainers taking to the stage to encourage Victorians to give. Hundreds more fundraisers have taken place across the state, including sausage sizzles, fishing competitions and car shows. Over its 87 year-history, the Good Friday Appeal has raised a total of $327 million for the Royal Children’s Hospital. For more information visit goodfridayappeal.com.au SCROLL DOWN TO SEE HOW WE COVERED THE GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL

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