How Victorians are celebrating Easter despite coronavirus pandemic
From a bunny-eared little battler who owes his life to the Royal Children’s Hospital to chocolate eggs loving left in letterboxes and baskets, Easter joy is still finding its way into homes across Victoria.
VIC News
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Little Elijah Pitman is celebrating his first Easter at home this Sunday thanks to the amazing care from his friends at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
And the youngster’s family are forever grateful for the support of the Good Friday Appeal, which this year raised a record $18.2m for the RCH.
The Appeal, which went online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw communities dig deep and rally together for the hospital’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
Premier Daniel Andrews generously pledged to fill any gap in donations and boost the amount to a new record, stating we cannot “leave the kids short” this year.
And long-time supporters, the CFA and Woolies, raised $190,876 and $790,340 respectively.
The generosity will be felt by the families of kids like Elijah, 10 months, who was born premature and with a hole in his heart, narrowing arteries and a leaking mitral valve.
At just five months old, surgeons opened up Elijah’s tiny chest, and spent eight hours mending the hole.
“He just looked so tiny,” Mum Lexi Pitman remembers.
The surgery was a success, but the youngster was sedated for 10 days to let his tiny body recover.
“I’ll never forget it,” Ms Pitman said.
“He was unconscious, he was hooked up to so many machines. I wasn’t able to hold him for ten days.”
Elijah’s heart had also “remodelled” post-surgery, causing one of his arteries to leak blood and putting him at risk of deadly blood clots.
“So he went in for his second open heart surgery — second in 14 days.”
Again, Elijah’s parents, including dad Mark, were forced into an anxious wait as their firstborn was wheeled away for the second time in as many weeks.
But their baby boy fought through.
Surgeons were unable to fix the leak in Elijah’s mitral valve — but are hopeful it will repair as he grows.
For now, the family of three are enjoying being home together and celebrating every milestone.
“It’s amazing to be home for Easter — we almost missed Christmas last year so it’s so nice to have him here (today),” Ms Pitman said.
“He’s such a beautiful little boy and we’re so thankful that he has been able to have such amazing care.”
In addition to the public’s generous support, the CFA and Woolworths raised $190,876 and $790,340 respectively while Bunnings boss
Michael Schneider was proud to pledge $250,000 “at such a challenging time for everyone in our community”.
Appeal director Anne Randall told the Sunday Herald Sun: “The generosity of all Australians and the Victorian Government has blown me away.”
“It is reflective of how much the Appeal truly means to everyone and that we all feel a special connection to the Royal Children’s Hospital,’’ she said.
Easter Sunday church services will be today streamed online with the state in lockdown while chocolate eggs are being on doorsteps for isolated loved ones.
Joseph, 7, and Scarlett, 10 were treated to a sweet drop-off from great aunt Alison Martin, 59, who is self-isolating and looking after her elderly father.
“Giving a present with pyjamas and some chocolate eggs is a long-held family tradition. This year I just had to do it a little differently,” Ms Martin said.
At Sunshine RSL general manager Marjorie Gorman said staff began to worry about how veterans would cope when coronavirus restrictions forced its doors to close.
They mobilised a modern-day army of helpers who are delivering about 100 meals a week, with a few Easter eggs thoughtfully snuck in.
“We thought we can still help and provide for them,’’ Ms Gorman said.
Louise Larkin and daughter Giselle, 4, made Easter egg milkshakes thanks to some inspiration from craft ideas group Mumspo.
Doctors and nurses on the virus frontline and Victoria’s most vulnerable didn’t miss out on Easter delights either.
The Koala Kids organisation delivered 1000 Lindt Gold Bunnies to staff and young cancer patients at hospitals across Melbourne while Coles donated more than 2000 Easter eggs to Monash Children’s Hospital.
“We hope this donation brings some Easter cheer to the hospital staff and their families.” chief executive officer Steve Cain said.
PENNY FOWLER: THANK YOU VICTORIA, FOR STILL DIGGING DEEP
Community spirit shines through
The 89th Good Friday Appeal shows how amazing our community is in supporting what matters. To think that the public would still dig deep for the Appeal & come together to support our hospital & sick children is what community spirit is all about - thank you.
On behalf of all Victorians, thank you to our Premier, Daniel Andrews
for his leadership during these tough times & for so generously topping up the Appeal to a record $18.2m - it is truly unbelievable.
Since 1931 the public has supported the Appeal year in year out & it is part of the fabric of our community.
This year we relied heavily on our media partners - the Herald Sun, the Sunday Herald Sun, Channel 7, Nova Entertainment, 3AW & Ace Radio.
The one hour Good Friday Appeal special on Channel 7 was beautiful, emotional and heartwarming.
Thank you to all of them for telling the stories & encouraging and inspiring people to donate online.
We are so grateful for the generosity of the community and for the ongoing support of the Good Friday Appeal.
You were there for our sickest children, when they needed you most.
- Penny Fowler is the Chairman of the Good Friday Appeal
READ MORE GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL STORIES