April 27th, 2023Good Friday Appeal, the wash-up

Words: Eve Lamb. Images: Supplied.

The rain pelted down but the staunch team of volunteers were not to be beaten as they sloshed about, collecting for this month’s Good Friday Appeal on the main street of Daylesford.

They may have been weather-blasted but their volunteering spirit shone through like a ray of sunshine – as did the generosity of innumerable locals and visitors who opened their purses, wallets and hearts.

Ultimately, when the adding up was done, they’d roundly raised a mighty total of $20,520 toward the critically important work of the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Local coordinator of the annual Good Friday Appeal for Daylesford and Surrounds, Natalie Kirby, was well impressed by the community spirit she witnessed through the persistent precipitation.

“It’s pretty amazing given that it poured rain all day which made it a very cold and very wet experience for our volunteers who were out in it and really had to face the elements,” Natalie said.

“One volunteer said she’d  probably be less drenched if she’d gone for a swim.”

Natalie also said they were particularly grateful for the marquee that had been provided by Biggin Scott, Daylesford real estate agents, who were main sponsors of the appeal locally.

“The Biggin Scott marquee was very, very useful,” Natalie said.

“We had volunteers who were locals and volunteers from Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo who had connections to our community.

“It was really an incredible effort by the volunteers and they included school children as young as six and seven year olds helping out, and locals like the two Tanias – Tania Henderson and Tania Grant (pictured above) – who have both been volunteering for the Good Friday Appeal for more than 20 years.

“The fire brigade brought in their truck and went to the two holiday parks and that probably added $1200 to the total

“The Spa Country Railway held train rides which raised over $800, and Blooms the chemist also raised over $500 through a sausage sizzle they held on the Thursday before Good Friday.”

The Daylesford and District effort was added to those of other communities from around Victoria and beyond, producing an exceptional record breaking fundraising tally for the annual appeal. When the contributions from all over were finally totalled the overall final Good Friday Appeal tally was an amazing $23,061,320. 

From tin shaking to raffles, fundraisers and auctions, regional and rural Victoria – including Daylesford and District – had together raised a remarkable$2,955,656 towards that impressive overall total.

 “Giving for the kids is what the Good Friday Appeal is all about and what big, generous hearts Victorians have had this year,” said Penny Fowler, Chairman of the Good Friday Appeal.

“The Appeal continues to shine a light on the very best in our community and this year’s Appeal is no exception. We are incredibly grateful to communities in Victoria and all the volunteers for digging deep for The Royal Children’s Hospital.”

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