DONATIONS to CFA volunteers, collections at traffic lights, community events and a posthumous bequest were among the many ways the south-west contributed tens of thousands of dollars to this year’s Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).
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Ray Hammersley from the Warrnambool Kiwanis Club said that by 3pm yesterday his club members had counted about $36,000 raised by local CFA brigade members and other appeal supporters.
The money was collected in Warrnambool and nearby townships including Koroit, Allansford and Panmure and more donations were expected to come in late yesterday, Mr Hammersley said.
The Allansford contribution of $4506.60 included $208 raised by Kelby Fleming, 8, who had donated the money he made selling eggs from his chickens.
Brian Walker, from the Allansford CFA, said all of those at the Warrnambool appeal collection centre applauded Kelby, who raised the money to thank the RCH for the care it had given his younger sister.
Judy Conn, who has long coordinated the appeal’s collection at Warrnambool’s Banyan Street traffic lights, said motorists had been very generous this year.
About 30 volunteers collected from motorists throughout the day, hoping to top last year’s total of more than $21,000.
Community events that further lifted the region’s contribution included an annual auction of goods and services at the Garvoc hall on Wednesday.
The auction, which is organised by the hall committee, raised more than $13,000.
A collection by the Garvoc CFA brigade volunteers and appeal supporters yesterday contributed nearly another $1000, further entrenching the reputation of Garvoc’s population of about 45 people as strong supporters of the RCH.
More than $7000 was also expected to be raised from the Derrinallum Royal Children’s Good Friday family fun day and car show yesterday.
Organiser Jenni Gordon said about 120 cars from throughout the south-west were exhibited, more than double the number shown at last year’s inaugural event.
Ms Gordon said about 250 people attended the event.
The region’s donation tally also got a big boost from a $58,000 bequest by the late Stanley Evans to Terang’s fund-raising for the appeal.
The solicitors for Mr Evans’s estate, Finn and Pugh Legal in Terang, said Mr Evans died last year and made the bequest to thank the RCH for the care it had given a great-neice.
The great-neice had contracted Stills Disease as a child in the 1960s and lost the ability to walk.
However, with the care of the RCH, she recovered to be able to live a relatively normal life.
The RCH had also done another great service to Mr Evans’s family.
A great-great-neice suffered only minimal scarring from an accident with boiling water after she was treated at the hospital.
