Victorians to rattle tins and buy raffle tickets raising millions during Good Friday Appeal

The Royal Children’s Hospital was bustling with Victorians eager to open their wallets on Friday to celebrate the launch of this year’s Good Friday Appeal.

At the 2024 Good Friday Appeal launch at the Royal Children’s Hospital on Friday were, from left, back row, Rebecca Maddern, Emily Cooke, 10, Peter Mitchell and Rebecca Cowan, (front row) Bernadette McDonald, Finley Every and Penny Fowler. Picture: David Caird

The Royal Children’s Hospital was bustling with Victorians eager to open their wallets on Friday to celebrate the launch of this year’s Good Friday Appeal.

For the next five weeks, thousands of Victorians will rattle tins and buy raffle tickets as they raise millions of dollars during the ­annual appeal.

Good Friday Appeal board chair Penny Fowler said the fundraiser had come a long way since it was launched by the Herald & Weekly Times in 1931.

“Thanks to the extraordinary support, we have since raised an incredible $444m for this amazing hospital,” she said. “We are so grateful that everyone gives what they can because every dollar makes a difference.”

Ms Fowler said the appeal adapted to change, starting with the rollout of collection tins in 1946 and including Channel 7’s first broadcast of its telethon in 1957.

“This year is no exception,” she said in a nod to the appeal’s latest announcement of $2.5m donated to regional pediatric services, including Barwon Health, Bendigo Health, Goulburn Valley Health and Latrobe Regional Health. “This is an extremely exciting development and I think another game changer.”

Ms Fowler was joined by Good Friday Appeal executive director Rebecca Cowan, who thanked Victorians for their generosity, despite some encountering difficult financial circumstances.

“Every dollar raised by Victorians and fundraisers from this year’s Good Friday Appeal is an investment towards the Royal Children’s Hospital’s innovative and life-saving projects, building on existing programs to improve children’s care,” she said.

“Knowing that it has been, and continues to be, a very challenging time for many, the Good Friday Appeal sends its heartfelt thanks to all of the Victorians who continue to give what they can as every dollar creates meaningful change for sick children and their families across Victoria.”

Hospital chief executive Bernadette McDonald, chair Rowena Coutts and RCH Foundation chief executive Sue Hunt were also at the launch, which was hosted by Channel 7 Melbourne newsreaders Peter Mitchell and Rebecca Maddern.

Emily Cooke, 10, and Finley Every, 2, are the faces of the appeal. Picture: David Caird

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when the parents of this year’s faces of the appeal, Emily Cooke, 10, and Finley Every, 2, shared their experiences. Emily was diagnosed with cancer in her brain stem and Finley was born with a severe type of spina bifida.

“We’re very excited to be able to give back to the Royal Children’s (by sharing our story),” Emily’s dad, Liam Cooke, said.

“RCH has been a big part of our lives for the past five years with a lot of highs and lows – the highs being the most memorable ones – but we’re very proud to be able to give back.”

Finley’s mum, Erin Every, added: “We want to help raise as much money as we can to help kids like Fin be able to go home and live an amazing life.”

People can donate to the appeal via its website, by attending the Good Friday AFL match between North Melbourne and Carlton, by purchasing raffle tickets, and via the state’s Container Deposits Scheme.

HERALD SUN