A MESSAGE FROM PENNY FOWLER, CHAIRMAN AND REBECCA COWAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL

The Good Friday Appeal is an extraordinary cause and one that is close to the hearts of so many. This year, it was no different with the community uniting to raise $23,061,320 for The Royal Children’s Hospital. To our committed volunteers, tin shakers, country towns, media and corporate partners, suppliers, community groups, and everyone who donated or watched the Telethon, and to the Federal and Victorian Governments, thank you we couldn’t have achieved this without your support.

Our much loved events played a key role in connecting the community. Run for the Kids had over 19,000 participants including families, friends and work colleagues running and walking over the Bolte Bridge and through the Domain tunnel. Kids Day Out saw 102,500 visitors enjoy the family fun festival filled with rides, entertainment, sports and the popular Teddy Bear Hospital at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Also at the MCEC the phone room took over 8000 phone donations, supported by long standing partner Telstra, and the Money Counting Room processed over $800,000 in cash, both of which are very special traditions of the Appeal.

Our Principal Partners, Herald Sun and Channel 7, continued their support by sharing life changing stories to demonstrate the impact of the community’s generosity. Channel 7’s Telethon provided entertainment throughout the day and into the late evening with outstanding support from their talented stars, personalities and crew. This, combined with support from 3AW and Neil’s Cruise for the Kids fundraiser, Ace Radio Network, Nova, Smooth FM, NEP Studios and QMS Media, inspired the community to give.

Our Area Managers in country towns harnessed local goodwill to raise $4.5 million regionally. The CFA brigades rattled tins at traffic lights across Victoria to raise $1.6 million. RCH Auxiliaries were innovative and passionate in raising $1.39M along with Uncle Bobs Club, Pied Pipers and thousands of volunteers providing invaluable support once again. Longstanding collection groups, Aviation Rescue and the German Shepherd Club respectively marked 30 and 40 years of fundraising for the Appeal.

We saw kids supporting kids through Generation Give with over 225 schools being creative and active. Leading the way was Elisabeth Murdoch College with the fifth iCAN Challenge that involved four Langwarrin schools walking 50 km from St Kilda to Frankston to raise $225,643. In addition, many community groups and local fundraisers got behind the cause including Scott who ran 1000 km in 10 weeks, a 12 hour mini golf marathon and Shear for the Kids with over 40 shearers donating their wages as they sheared 700 sheep!

Many businesses were once again outstanding in their support. Woolworths raised $1.36 million by engaging their teams and customers to round up and donate in store. Bambi Mini Co donated the proceeds from their sock range sold in Chemist Warehouse stores and other partners included Cadbury, Costco, Little Athletics and the Decjuba Foundation.

The raffle sold over 96,000 tickets and raised over $1.1M with prizes being donated by our wonderful partners Mazda, Majestic Caravans, TEMPUR, Woolworths, Telstra, Kogan, Inspiring Vacations and Qatar Airways.

The Charity House, located in Lara, was generously donated by Henley in their 31st year and Villawood provided the land in their 14th year to raise $1,010,000 with all the trades, furniture, fixtures and every dollar from the sale donated.

Sports fans found ways to support the Appeal as well as their favourite codes through the AFL Superclash game with North Melbourne hosting Carlton on Good Friday and Melbourne Storm dedicating their game. Racing Victoria showed their support through the All Star Mile and Country Racing in Geelong along with Greyhound Racing Victoria, new partners the VRC and Ice Hockey teams, Melbourne Ice and Melbourne Mustangs getting involved.

The Good Friday Appeal has now raised an extraordinary $444 million since 1931. The Appeal is all about donating what you can as every dollar counts and every donation impacts the lives of sick kids and their families. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and generosity in helping to create one of the best children’s hospitals in the world.

Penny Fowler CHAIRMAN

Rebecca Cowan EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR