A MUCH-LOVED Warrnambool volunteer was sadly missed on Good Friday.
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Year in, year out Gayle Payne would don a bunny rabbit suit, stock up on Easter eggs and head to the Banyan Street intersection to collect funds for the Royal Children's Hospital.
Sadly, she passed away in August last year.
Judy Conn, a fellow volunteer, said everyone was missing the bubbly woman who was always smiling.
"She brought so much energy - the kids always wanted to give the money to her," Mrs Conn said.
"She worked all day and she would always bring Easter eggs for the kids."
Mrs Conn said Mrs Payne's husband had dropped by to make a donation to the appeal.
A massive $26,681.75 cents was raised for the hospital in Warrnambool.
Mrs Conn said more than 25 volunteers would collect funds at the Banyan Street intersection in Warrnambool.
She said the volunteers had been buoyed by the generosity of businesses Piccolo and Jane Dough, who had donated coffee and hot cross buns to the busy workers.
One thing volunteers had found in 2019, Mrs Conn said, was that some motorists were forced to apologise because they no longer carried cash.
Volunteer Donna Rowan, who was at the intersection collecting money for the fourth year, said this was a hot topic of conversation amongst those collecting.
"A lot of people say 'I've got no cash'," Mrs Rowan said.
Mrs Rowan said it was rewarding to help raise much-needed funds for the Royal Children's Hospital.
"I just wanted to do something for the children," she said.
"It's very important to donate to this appeal. My kids are all grown up and fortunately they never had to use the hospital, but sadly other children do."
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