Message from the Chief Executive Officer, the RCH Foundation

MESSAGE FROM THE RCH FOUNDATION

I would like to congratulate all Auxiliaries on another wonderful year supporting the RCH. These past 12 months have been challenging, but through adversity, you have truly embodied the passion, dedication and commitment for which Auxiliaries are known.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, your collective fundraising resulted in an incredible $656,933 donation to the 2021 Good Friday Appeal. With these funds, you have supported life changing projects right across the hospital.

This is a truly outstanding achievement under the circumstances and I hope you enjoy seeing the direct impact of how your support continues to change the lives of sick children in this year’s Annual Report.

Like the Auxiliaries, generosity has been the cornerstone of the hospital since the very beginning. In 1870 it was a Ladies Committee, together with Doctors Smith and Singleton, who worked hard to raise the funds needed to establish the Melbourne Free Hospital for Sick Children.

In 1922 Mary Guthrie formed the Auxiliary movement to fundraise for and supply articles to the hospital. In the first year alone, Auxiliaries saved the hospital more than £1,914. As we plan to celebrate your centenary in 2022, I hope all Auxiliaries feel incredibly proud of this legacy of generosity and friendship, which continues to grow today.

Although we have not been able to physically come together, we have remained connected through virtual events, emails and conversations. All of us at the RCH eagerly await a time when we can welcome you back onsite and see the pods and market days come to life once again. In the meantime, I look forward to continuing to work together to adapt and inspire our community to support your fundraising endeavours. I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the AEC, led by President Dr Miriam (Mim) Weisz OAM for your time, passion and expertise.

Finally, to all Auxiliary members, I say thank you. Thank you for your fortitude, dedication and support. We are so lucky to have you.

We look forward to continuing to work together to support the life changing work of the RCH.

Sue Hunt

Chief Executive Officer