People dig deep for the children

Wimmera people have again dug deep for the Royal Children’s Hospital, contributing to a record-breaking Good Friday Appeal donation.

People, businesses and communities across the region banded together for the traditional Easter-weekend-donation-push, raising money with tried-and-true and unique methods.

Natimuk Hotel publican Bill Lovel said an annual ‘Throw a Donation on the Roof’ and raffle raised more than $2000 for the hospital.

“Friday, Saturday and Sunday were all very busy and lots of people dropped in to land their donations. The biggest donation we had was $105 that someone pinned to the ceiling,” he said. “It was a great effort from everyone.”

Horsham’s Swift Car Wash owner Gabriella Da Ros said automatic-car-wash payments donated to the appeal totalled $1300, while State Emergency Services’ tin-rattling and complimentary hot-cross-buns were a community favourite.

“Everyone had a great time. The SES looked after everyone, serving them buns with butter and giving special showbags to the kids,” she said. “It was the first year we had done this collaboration and we hope to do it again every year.”

The Wimmera’s Country Fire Authority volunteers gathering donations throughout the region contributed to a collective donation of $1,440,225 from the CFA.

All efforts contributed to a record-breaking $22,328,154 2022 Good Friday Appeal tally for the hospital, with regional Victoria contributing more than $2.5-million to the final figure.

Good Friday Appeal executive director Rebecca Cowan said regional Victoria continued to be one of the biggest supporters of the appeal.

“Without our regional communities, the appeal simply wouldn’t be what it is today,” she said.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone for their generous donations to this year’s Appeal.

“The teamwork that binds all regional towns together is truly inspiring.”