Give, so they may grow

Victorians are generous people, especially when it comes to giving to their own and this has been proved many times over. Despite the threat of a global financial crisis and the thousands donated to the bushfire appeal, there is no sign of their generosity waning. One of the biggest charity events in Victoria is the Good Friday appeal that supports the Royal Children Hospital. Whether it is through pounding the pavement for the Herald Sun/City Link run, or joining the kids at a big day out at Etihad, or enjoying the Good Friday fiesta at Copacabana or tucking into Parmas, there are so many ways one could be part of the Good Friday Appeal.

Since it begam in 1931, the Good Friday appeal has contributed nearly $200 million to the Royal Children’s Hospital. The Hospital uses all the funds to buy medical equipment and to fund research projects. The tin rattling tradition is complemented with numerous fundraising events held prior to Good Friday. Many organizations, corporate, sports group, communities get together to collect funds for children. Among the Indian community, the most prominent group involved in coordinating the appeal is Friends of The Children Foundation (FOTCF).

The FOTCF is a nonprofit organisation that has been raising funds for the Royal Children Hospital for the past 12 years. Besides holding annual events and acquiring support from sponsors, FOTCF supporters have actively participated in the Good Friday walk from Clayton to Etihad (previously Telstra Dome), rattling tins to raise funds for this worthy cause. This year they hosted a multicultural dinner and dance at Box Hill Town Hall in aid of the annual RCH appeal. Ms Christine

Armstrong, CEO of RCH Good Friday Appeal was the chief guest. The event proved to be multicultural to the hilt, with some really cute Russian children dancing, the Australian everyone’s delight. Desi favourites Bhangra, Gidda and Bollywood vied for attention with bellydancing. The two beautiful dancers involved a willing audience in some impromptu belly shaking moves, while the Dhol players had many enthusiasts primed to hit the dance floor. The happiness meter, supplied by the MC, was filling up to the brim and it was all going fine till the smoke alarm went berserk. An inconclusive fire scare saw an abrupt end to a very entertaining evening. The guests were asked to evacuate so that the alarm had dampened spirits and most people decided to call it a day. The crowd fizzled off along with the alarm, fortunately not on an empty stomach. The alarm went off after people had already enjoyed an Indian and Chinese meal supplied by Tandoori Junction Indian restaurant. Those who intended to burn the dance floor will just have to wait till next year when FOTCF plan to come up with something ‘bigger and better’. They hope to collect nearly 15,000 dollars this year. In the meantime, watch this space and keep on giving.

Preeti Jabbal