Torquay Lions driven to reach new Good Friday Appeal record

THE Torquay Lions Club has set an ambitious fundraising target for Good Friday, as the community group aims to reach new heights in this year’s Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (RCH) Appeal.

Good Friday Appeal ambassador for the Surf Coast Peter McMahon said the local Lions Club will aim to reach $30,000 in 2023 for RCH, after accumulating more than $13,000 in 2022 and hosting an extremely successful raffle night last week.

“We would’ve raised around $27,000 on the raffle night last Friday at the Torquay Bowls Club,” Mr McMahon said.

“The raffle night is an annual event that the Lions Club holds, and we choose a different charity for it each year, but with the timing of the raffle night so close to the Easter Weekend, it just made sense to make this year’s charity the Good Friday Appeal.”

The same as every year, around a dozen tin-rattlers will again congregate at the intersection of the Darian Road, Grossmans Road, and the Surf Coast Highway on tomorrow morning, where they will hopefully achieve its fundraising goal for 2023.

Mr McMahon added that like so many others, he has been impacted by the RCH in some way.

“My granddaughter, Ariana, spent 13 months in the RCH dealing with a disease called aplastic anemia, the same disease that Maddie Riewoldt, Nick’s sister, died from, but she’s now recovered and that could only have happened thanks to the assistance of the RCH,” he said.

“That’s what motivates me every year, having seen first-hand what the nurses and doctors do.”

Rebecca Cowan, Executive Director of the Good Friday Appeal, said she 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.”