Very special fundraising fun in the city

THE Very Special Kids Piggy Bank Appeal rolled into the city recently on its journey raise one-million dollars for the children’s’ palliative, hospice and support service.

Volunteers, including David Kelly, were joined by Commonwealth Bank employees like Rebecca Stephens in tin rattling, a barbeque and market stalls.

VSK supports over 900 families across the state whose kids are dealing with life-threatening conditions and illnesses.

“We support families from diagnosis to adulthood or bereavement and we have a range of support services for the whole family,” Mr Kelly said. “It’s all free of charge and it’s for every member of the family.

“Having a child with a life-threatening condition is a very difficult situation for families and so providing things like respite time for families helps them cope and recharge their batteries, and also deal with all the grief and difficulty they face.”

From a facility in Malvern, the service provides around the clock care in the states only paediatric hospice, along with outreach and support services.

All that takes money, which is why the 700kg giant piggy bank stopped by the corner of Sturt Streets and Lydiard Street South on Friday.

“It costs Very Special Kids $9.1 every year to operate and we have to raise two-thirds of that ourselves,” Mr Kelly said. “People can donate throughout the year through our website – vsk.org.au.”