Members wanted for Good Friday group

THOUGH the Good Friday Appeal is still many months away, one branch is already working to revive their annual offering after two years of cancellations.

The Inverleigh and District Good Friday Appeal is seeking committee members to help organise their family fun day and fun run for the 2023 appeal, which is the district’s main fundraising contribution to the Royal Children’s Hospital cause.

Their last events took place in 2019, and area manager Daniel Symons said it’s essential the team is formed immediately.

“Next year, April 9, is Good Friday. We start now for that year. There’s a big process we have to go through and so we need the people to be ready for that,” he said.

“COVID has just wrecked us, and then for this year and last it was very hard for us to ask businesses to donate with how much they were struggling too.

“We have people to help on the day, which is great. But we need people for that managerial role, to organise stallholders, rides, auction items, everything that goes into operating this.”

The Inverleigh and District Good Friday Appeal has a core team of about six, and Mr Symons said they’ll need 10 to 15 committee members to help run next year’s events.

With an average of 3000 to 4000 attendees, in 2019 the group raised more than $37,000, with nearly $50,000 the year before.

A smaller event was held for last year’s Appeal at the Inverleigh Bowls Club, which raised about $10,000.

Mr Symons said though they could do a similar effort next year, it’s “extremely important” their regular offering continues.

“My youngest daughter spent four or five weeks at the Royal Children’s Hospital when she was born,” he said.

“If it wasn’t for them, she may not be here so I owe them everything.

“So, we do it to raise money for the Good Friday Appeal but also to bring everyone together on the day and into our community to showcase what Inverleigh has to offer.”

To express interest, visit facebook.com/ihdgfa.