Members of the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal visited East Gippsland last Wednesday to thank and acknowledge communities for their ongoing support.
A social evening was held at the Central Hotel in Lakes Entrance where participating fundraising groups met and were presented with certificates from the executive Good Friday Appeal team.
Lakes Entrance CFA member John Upton accepted a special plaque acknowledging 50 years of support for the appeal. He spoke of his own family’s personal association with the Royal Children’s Hospital and his passion to raise funds for such a worthy cause.
“The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal holds a very special place in our lives,” John said.
“My daughter Lesley Garth’s two daughters spent extended periods of time at the hospital.”
Lesley, along with John’s wife Deb, are crucial workers and organisers of the Lakes Entrance fundraising efforts each year.
“I would like to thank the entire Lakes Entrance Fire Brigade for their support each year and particularly acknowledge Truus and Graeme Adams who have been involved since the start,” John said.
Executive director of the Good Friday Appeal, Rebecca Cowen, announced that overall $23,822,792 was raised this year and praised the efforts of regional Victoria.
“The first appeal was in 1931 and involved a fundraiser football game. Next year will be our 95th year and we are here to ensure it will keep going,” she said.
“The Royal Children’s Hospital is in the top five of the best in the world and there are 28 projects at the RCH being directly
funded with monies from the Good Friday Appeal.
“The hospital will always be there for complex cases, but with regional funding, we are helping ensure that more children can access the care they need closer to home.”
Gippsland is receiving $600,000 of the $3 million allocated for regional Victorian Health Services.
“Bairnsdale Hospital is using their share to upgrade the maternity unit, replacing outdated equipment and for education as well,” Rebecca said.
Pooja Ingle is the regional fundraising manager and has witnessed such generosity from the regional areas.
“They are always so creative and have fun ways to raise funds, they are fuelled by a deep sense of community spirit,” she said.
“This year Lakes Entrance/Lake Tyers Beach raised $38,502.22 and have overall raised an incredible $91,762 for the hospital. I think they may be the raffle capital. Although Nicholson community was unable to attend tonight, they raised $27,803 with only four active people which is nothing short of extraordinary.
They have been supporting the Appeal for 40 years.”
Pooja also acknowledged Orbost and welcomed representatives Judy and Beverly Farley.
“Orbost first started supporting the appeal in 1981 and this year raised $18,143. They have the support of their CFA and local businesses,” she said.
The evening concluded with finger food and refreshments with all agreeing it was a positive and enjoyable evening.
