Torquay teens champion Good Friday Appeal

FUNDRAISING for next year’s Good Friday Appeal is already under way and two Torquay youngsters are helping lead the charge to raise critical funds for those in need.

Since 1931, the annual appeal has contributed more than $400 million to support the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), with the funds raised aiding research, the purchase of life-saving equipment and ongoing training the hospital staff.

Scarlett McGowan and Belle Strahan both spent time in the RCH as babies, and with the hospital’s support, are both now in good health.

 

Scarlett credits the RCH for “saving her life”, after she received a heart transplant almost 17 years ago. The hospital’s support since the operation, the Surf Coast Secondary College student said, has been “incredible”.

“I lead a normal life.

“Every three months, I go to the RCH for a battery of checks to ensure that my health is okay, and [to see] how I am progressing with life activities.

“I am delighted to say that, as well as my study, I have part-time jobs in Torquay.

“I will be helping with the GFA again this year, and I encourage everybody to hop in and raise some money, whether it be a small amount or a large amount.”

 

Belle’s journey with the RCH began before she was born, when a 20-week scan revealed anomalies with her heart and kidneys. Born with multiple heart defects and a single kidney, Belle was transferred to the RCH for urgent care and was expected to undergo surgery as a newborn. She responded well to treatment with Prostaglandin E1, and has so far avoided the need for cardiac surgery.

Today, Belle leads an active life and enjoys taekwondo and swimming. She is also a volunteer lifeguard patroller with Torquay Surf Life Saving Club.

“The staff and volunteers at the children’s hospital do an incredible job,” she said.

“It makes me happy to be able to give something back to the children’s hospital, which does such valuable, life-saving work.”

 

Over the past 15 years, Belle has raised more than $20,000 for HeartKids Australia and the Good Friday Appeal, including more than $2,000 for last year’s appeal.

GFA regional area manager Peter McMahon urged the community to get behind the cause which, he said, as a grandfather, was “very close” to his heart.

“Our planning team wants to make a difference — a difference to all the youngsters who need help from the Royal Children’s Hospital and our local health services.

“Locally, we rely on the support of our community, i.e. you, to raise funds to ensure they can continue to provide world class care to young patients and their families.”

For more information, or to support the Good Friday Appeal, head to fundraise.goodfridayappeal.com.au/fundraisers/Torquay

//SPONSORED CONTENT