Fundraising tallies have been recorded from the Finley, Jerilderie, Tocumwal and Cobram-Barooga communities for the annual Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal.
The latter has contributed the most from the local area according to the appeal’s virtual tally room, with $34,857 donated form the twin towns.
The tally board registers Finley’s made a valiant contribution at $8,488, but local coordinator Vanessa Kydd said the total is actually $9003.65 when you account for donations made before the day.
And she said more donations are yet to be collected.
Jerilderie tipped in $17,329 and Tocumwal managed to raise $11,928.
This is the first year all donations from have been combined to form a total in the tally room.
The nation’s total, as announced on Friday evening, was $23,061,320.
Good Friday Appeal executive director Rebecca Cowan said this year’s funds would go to new and ongoing programs including cardiac projects, the Centre for Health Analytics, development of the Melbourne Children’s Campus Mental Health Strategy and vibrant youth program Chronic Illness Peer Support (ChIPS).
Appeal chair Penny Fowler said the appeal continues to “shine a light on the very best in our community”, with this year no exception.
“We are incredibly grateful to communities and all the volunteers for digging deep for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“Thank you to the federal and state governments for the generous contributions to the appeal, to ensure it (the Royal Children’s Hospital) remains a world-class facility helping sick children and their families.”
Local efforts were coordinated by teams of dedicated volunteers, with raffles, tin rattling, sports events and even fundraising from local fire brigades contributing to the total.
Mrs Kydd said the bulk of donations came from volunteers rattling the tins at the traditional Good Friday clash between the Finley Cats and the Deniliquin Rams.
The game was held at Finley on Friday evening.
“I would like the thank the Finley community for their generosity, and the members of the Finley Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal fundraising team for their extraordinary efforts - Sally Carr, Gary Carr, Tiarna Giddings, Daniel Kydd, Dawn Kydd, Helen Cooling, Rosslyn Lockhart, Craig O'Donnell, Wendy Coates, Sophie O'Donnell, Sue Hynes, Jane Harris, Ranae Moritz, Catherine Taylor, Holly Preece, Judy Rourke, William Harris, Julie Thomson, Lyndall Horne, Katy Walliss and Nicky Burke,” Mrs Kydd said.
“There are plenty of official Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal donation containers throughout local Finley businesses for people to continue to donate funds for this wonderful children's hospital.
“Collection for the 2024 Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal has already commenced, with Good Friday to be on March 29 next year.
“If there is a Finley business who would like to have their own fundraising tin, please let me know on 0488 461 658.”
12°C