Good Friday Appeal supports sick kids in the regions

Devoted mum Sarah Berta will line up in the Good Friday Appeal fundraiser Run for the Kids to help give back to the hospital that saved her daughter’s life.

Sarah Berta owes her child’s life to the Royal Children’s Hospital and says despite not being a runner she will happily line up in the Herald Sun/Transurban Run for the Kids this year to help raise funds for the Good Friday Appeal.

Sarah and husband Josh had twin daughters Toni and Poppy in 2022, born premature at 27 weeks. They spent 221 days in both the Royal Women’s Hospital and Royal Children’s Hospital.

Toni was the smallest and had complex medical issues. When she was 15 months old, she went into sudden and serious respiratory failure and her life was saved at the RCH.

The Bertas, who live at Dales Creek about 1.5 hours from Melbourne, remain eternally grateful for the extensive care and support received at RCH and Ronald McDonald House.

“We depend on the Royal Children’s so much and I can’t even fathom if Toni was born just 15 years ago how different it would have been in terms of her medical care,” Sarah said.

“We have hopes she will come off her oxygen and feeding tube this year because of how well she is trending but all it takes is for her to get a cold and it sets her back.”

The GFA will contribute $3m to regional health services this year to help support sick kids closer to home.

“I’m a bit nervous about running but I felt like it was time to give back to the hospital,” Sarah said.

“We owe our baby girl’s life to RCH, which continues through many regular appointments to support us in our daily lives.”

To enter or volunteer on April 6, visit runforthekids.com.au