Appeal leaders push telethon

Horsham Good Friday Appeal leaders have urged the community to continue to support the vital fundraiser despite major changes to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The long-running appeal raises money for Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, an organisation close to many Wimmera people’s hearts.

Horsham Fire Brigade member Ray Carman said unlike other years, brigade members would no longer take to the streets in line with State Government directives to try to avoid exposure to the coronavirus.

“At this stage, Horsham Fire Brigade will not be doing anything at all,” he said.

“The fire station is in lock down. There is no training, no meetings. The only time we are allowed at the station is for emergency calls.

“Everything else is suspended. In light of this, the fire brigade will not be collecting donations this year.”

Mr Carman urged people who wanted to donate to participate in the annual Good Friday telethon, on April 10.

“Unfortunately, that’s all they can do,” he said.

“We are in uncharted waters, but at the end of the day, economics aside, health is the biggest issue.”

The telethon, on Channel 7, will run from noon to 11.30pm.

Mr Carman said if callers told phone operators they were from Horsham, the money would still go to Horsham’s total.

Horsham district, on average, raises between $50,000 and $55,000 annually.

Good Friday Appeal Horsham area manager June Clissold, who has collected donations for the hospital since the early 1980s, encouraged Wimmera people to continue to ‘dig deep’ despite changes due to the coronavirus.

She said the appeal was special to many Wimmera people, including herself, with all three of her children and several grandchildren treated at the hospital.

Mrs Clissold collects money for the appeal year round, through donation tins in Horsham and knitting items to sell.

“I knit all the time and have six ladies who knit for me,” she said.

“I take a car load of stuff to Ballarat twice a year and Gwen, from the Royal Children’s Hospital Geelong auxiliary, meets me and takes everything back to Geelong to be sold.

“The auxiliary is aiming to raise $100,000 for a machine for the hospital.”

Mrs Clissold said collection tins were on display across Horsham, including at the RSL, West Side Horsham, Horsham Golf Club and Haven store.

“There are lots of others around as well, but they are some of the main ones,” she said.

“I have about 16 out altogether and I collect the money from about 11 to 12 of them every six weeks. We get about $600 every six weeks, which adds up.”

Cancelled events

Good Friday Appeal leaders have already cancelled some of the appeal’s associated fundraising events, including Sunday’s Run for the Kids.

People who have already registered can transfer their entry fee to the appeal and participate in a virtual walk or run.

Cadbury Easter Egg hunts have also been cancelled, including Horsham’s Bendigo Bank Easter egg hunt, scheduled for April 9 at Maydale Reserve.

People can visit the appeal’s website, goodfridayappeal.com.au to buy a raffle ticket or make a donation.

Money from the Good Friday Appeal goes to equipment, research and education to support the work of Royal Children’s Hospital staff.

The appeal has raised more than $363-million to benefit sick children since it started in 1931.