Torquay Good Friday Appeal efforts ramping up

TORQUAY’S fundraising for this year’s Good Friday Appeal is well under way with at least three local businesses chipping in for the town’s ambitious 2024 target.

Local Good Friday Appeal coordinator and Torquay Lions Club member Peter McMahon has been hard at work rallying local businesses to get behind the club’s fundraising mission to raise $80,000 this year to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

“As well as wonderful individuals raising funds for the Good Friday Appeal, we now have our local business community hopping in to help,” Mr McMahon said.

“Torquay RSL and Lions Club members have been on the job for the past few months chasing dollars for this year’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

“And now, Torquay businesses have chipped in to help as well.”

Among the businesses raising funds for this year’s appeal are Gilbert Street’s Dusty’s Bulk Foods, who will aim to raise $5,000 before March 29 through self-run raffles in store.

“The Good Friday Appeal is a cause close to so many people and we are determined to help, with the support of locals in Torquay,” business co-owner Lisa Newton said.

Torquay North business LA Movement expects to raise in the vicinity of $1,000 through an organised athletic competition, while McCartney Real Estate will be out in the community tin-rattling to help at Torquay’s highway collection point.

This year’s Good Friday Appeal will divert funding towards five of Victoria’s regional health services, including locally at Geelong’s Barwon Health.

Mr McMahon says this new approach by the Royal Children’s Hospital should provide more incentive for locals to donate this Good Friday.

“We want every child and family to receive the best possible care.

“Over the past few years, our total fundraising has increased for the Good Friday Appeal each year and reached more than $70,000 last year.

“So far, we have volunteer collectors from Deakin University, Torquay Lions Club, the CFA, and Torquay RSL. All are keen to help us achieve our dream target.

“The Good Friday Appeal resonates with many local families who have had some contact or contacts with the Royal Children’s Hospital over the years.

“To put in a dollar or two to help the hospital with research, care and rehabilitation comes quite readily with most donors.”Any residents keen help raise funds, or be a Good Friday Appeal collector, can contact Peter McMahon on 0411 112 047.

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