Wimmera family’s Good Friday Appeal roadtrip pays

Undeterred by the distance between farm houses in the Wimmera, a local family travels 300 kilometres to doorknock and raise funds for the Good Friday Appeal.

Every year, Telangatuk East farmers Karen and Luke Rees and their three kids cover 300km of ground in the Wimmera, doorknocking to raise funds for the Good Friday Appeal.

Over the past 15 years their incredible efforts, which have included trivia nights and charity golf events, have brought in almost $200,000.

The Rees’ fundraising journey began after their own experience at the Royal Children’s Hospital when their son Joel suffered a stroke at age three, in 2008.

“We’d never heard of a three year old having a stroke before,” Karen said.

“He was playing in the backyard and we thought he’d had a fall because he couldn’t move the whole left side of his body.”

Joel was taken by ambulance to Horsham and flown to Melbourne for an MRI where doctors gave the diagnosis.

“It was awful and overwhelming,” Karen said, adding they had a two year old and four month old to manage as well at the time.

The family spent 10 weeks at the RCH and Joel, now 20, required ongoing rehab and care throughout his childhood.

“The whole team of specialists were amazing - no amount of fundraising can repay what the RCH did for us,” Karen said.

Family, friends and neighbours helped on their 1600ha mixed cropping and livestock property while they were away during Joel’s initial treatment.

“We live in an incredible district and have wonderful neighbours…the locals are so generous and happy to donate each year,” Karen said.

Mia, Joel, Luke, Karen and Alex Rees, Telangatuk East, travel hundreds of kilometres around the Wimmera each year helping raise funds for the Good Friday Appeal.

Karen and Joel have also participated in The Herald Sun/Transurban Run for the Kids, a key fundraiser for the Good Friday Appeal to be held on April 6.

To get involved visit runforthekids.com.au