Geelong’s gift to Good Friday

TIN-rattlers will be out in force throughout Greater Geelong with the region’s ambassador stating he will be co-ordinating close to 100 volunteers on Good Friday.

Good Friday Appeal Geelong ambassador and former Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (RCH) patient Elie Freijah said volunteers will situate themselves in suburbs such as Grovedale, East Geelong, Corio, Geelong West, Newtown, Central Geelong and North Geelong.

“We’ll still be going strong this year as a team for Good Friday, but we’re very interested to see how fundraising will go given how cashless the world has become over the past few years.

“If anyone we come across on the roads has cash, great; but if not, we do have QR code handouts that we can pass on to drivers if they are really keen to contribute to the appeal.”

Last year, Mr Freijah approximated that Geelong raised close to $60,000 for the RCH in 2022, but he was not shocked to find out a record of more than $22.3 million was raised nationally in last year’s Good Friday Appeal alone.

“It didn’t shock me at all,” Mr Freijah said.

“Australians like to support things that they believe in and things that have merit.

“The wonderful thing that people sometimes don’t know about is that the hospital is used by people from all around the country and the state.

“You don’t have to be a Melburnite or someone from the big cities to receive world-class care, it truly is a hospital for everyone.”

Rebecca Cowan, executive director of the Good Friday Appeal, is looking forward to seeing all Victorians unite again on Good Friday.

“Every dollar, no matter how big or small, kindly donated by Victorians is an investment towards life changing and innovative projects at the RCH to ensure the Hospital remains a world-class facility,” Ms Cowan said.

“We know it continues to be a challenging time for many and we send our heartfelt thanks to the entire community of Victorians going above and beyond to give what they can for the appeal.

“We’re looking forward to once again seeing the entire state rally together and get involved with local fundraising activities and are incredibly thankful to all the volunteers who have selflessly dedicated their time to the Good Friday Appeal over the years and continue to do so to make it what it is today.”

Tin-rattlers across Geelong will be located at these intersections and locations on Good Friday:

Surf Coast Highway/Pioneer Road, Grovedale
In front of Try Boys Basketball Stadium, East Geelong
Along Bacchus Marsh Road, Corio
Aberdeen Street/Pakington Street, Geelong West/Newtown
In front of Geelong Hospital, Geelong CBD
Separation Street/Thompson Road, North Geelong