Good Friday Appeal to rattle up a storm

VOLUNTEERS from across the Geelong region will be out in force next Friday raising crucial funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital’s (RCH) Good Friday Appeal.

The annual Good Friday fundraiser is expected to raise tens of millions of dollars towards research, education, training, equipment, and valuable care for families in the care of the RCH.

Fourteen-year-old Clonard College student Sophia Kulic will be among the volunteers hitting the streets raising funds for a cause that has affected her directly.

Sophia was born with craniosynostosis, a condition where the bones in her skull joined together too early causing her skull to become misshapen as her brain grew.

As a result, Sophia underwent a 12-hour corrective surgery at just 11 months old, which involved removing her skull, letting the brain rest, and then reshaping her skull at the RCH.

“I am forever grateful for what the hospital has done for me,” Sophia said.

“They took the best care of me possible, and they still do as I still go to the hospital every year for yearly check-ups until I’m 18.

“People should donate to the appeal because having a hospital like the Royal Children’s so close to home is amazing.

“No one ever knows when they might need a hospital like this and sadly people always do.

“The work that the hospital does is world-class and benefits so many, and we are so lucky to have it.”

Sophia’s mother Lorraine has been an advocate for the Good Friday Appeal well before becoming a mother, but following Sophia’s surgery the appeal has become more personal to her.

“The work they do every single day – maintaining a world-class facility and keeping up to date with the best treatment and care is terrific,” Lorraine said.

“I was answering phones in the Geelong phone room from the age of 18 – well before I became a mother.

“Whoever thought that my involvement would become so much more personal. I cannot imagine a Good Friday without the Appeal.”

If you drive past the intersection of Boundary and Portarlington roads on Good Friday, you might see Sophia and her family tin rattling as they do each year.

Residents in Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove are expected migrate to The Tin Shed clubhouse at Barwon Grove Golf Club to make another sizeable contribution to the Appeal as part of its annual auction.

The auction has raised more than $200,000 for the RCH over the past 10 years with more than 300 people attending the event each year.

“Barwon Grove has been running this event for more than 30 years,” The Tin Shed’s president Conan Roos said.

“The event has gotten bigger and bigger every time we’ve held it, we raised more than $36,000 last year alone.

“It’s wonderful for everyone to come together and it astonishes me how willing people are to donate to such a worthy cause.”

Auctioning at 30 Sheepwash Road, Barwon Heads starts at midday next Friday and anyone is welcome to attend.

Winchelsea CFA is again teaming with Winchelsea’s SES unit to bring tin rattling to the residents of the Surf Coast town.

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) is entering its 71st year of raising funds for the Good Friday Appeal, however, the joint effort with the SES in Winchelsea provides a strong image of unity according to volunteers.

“Both branches out in the community raising funds is a good thing to see for residents,” SES volunteer Justin Day said.

“Winchelsea locals are always willing to put funds to a good cause like the Good Friday Appeal that does great work.”

Winchelsea CFA and SES volunteers will base their traffic light donation point at the intersection of Main and Hesse streets.

Head to www.goodfridayappeal.com.au/donate to contribute to the Appeal directly.