Keeping the Good Friday momentum going

Local fundraising coordinator Vanessa Kydd knows only too well the value of RCH for regional families.

“Personally, my husband Daniel, our daughter Dawn and I have been blessed by the continued support from the staff at the Royal Children's Hospital, and we will soon welcome another genetically healthy baby in early May.

“Many people know of our Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1 journey with our beloved son, Allister, who we lost at six months old on June 17, 2016.

“I was talking to our genetic counsellor in August last year about the updated SMA strategies and programs, of which the RCH genetics team are a part. She mentioned that the SMA Type 1 affected children are becoming diagnosed earlier and receiving early treatments such as gene therapy and other medications, which are allowing these children to reach milestones that they wouldn't have achieved before.

“There was nothing like this readily available back in 2016; it was all still at clinical trial stage.

“Like a lot of medical conditions, all treatments take time to develop and progress, and it takes funding to support these programs. That is why all support for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal is greatly appreciated.”

When Mrs Kydd attended the regional meeting for fundraising area managers last year, she said they were “gobsmacked” with the amount a small town like Finley was able to raise.

“Despite the cost of living and other financial struggles, our Finley community really does dig deep and provide amazing support for the sick kids and their families who visit the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne,” she said.

Mrs Kydd is seeking volunteers to collect money, as well as raffle donations, for this year’s appeal. While there are already several prizes for the raffle, more would be welcome.

On Good Friday, the official collection day, volunteers meet at 8.30am at the appeal headquarters, located at the rear of 18 Pinnuck St, Finley.

For more information or to make a donation, the Finley online fundraising link can be found at https://fundraise.goodfridayappeal.com.au/fundraisers/Finley.

Coincidentally, one of the RCH ambassadors this year, who receives life-saving treatment at the hospital, is called Finley.

Finley was born with myelomeningocele—a severe type of spina bifida where the membranes and the spinal nerves protrude at birth.

At just a tiny one-day old, Finley needed major spinal surgery to fix the opening in his spine.

Thankfully Finley’s spinal surgery was a success, but the impending challenges he faced did not stop there. Like so many children, he relies on the ongoing treatment he receives at RCH.

For more information about the RCH appeal, or to assist the Finley team, contact Vanessa Kydd on 0488 461 658.