While a final figure has not been confirmed, Echuca Moama was credited with raising a massive $85,372 — to finish seventh on the Regional Tally Board.
The figure is expected to be more than $90,000 once Echuca-Moama Lions Club’s full count is submitted to appeal organisers.
The tally was part of a record total of $22,328,154 — taking the Good Friday Appeal’s 91-year total to more than $421 million.
Regional and rural Victoria raised a remarkable $2,581,661 — this year’s funds supporting the Children’s Cancer Centre and CARE (4 Kids) to provide cancer allied health resources, education and supportive care programs.
The Children’s Cancer Centre has about 1400 patients a year, including 300 newly diagnosed patients every year.
Ballarat topped the regional leader board with $143,265, well clear of its nearest rival, the Gippsland township of Sale ($125,761), while three other regional towns topped the $100,000 mark.
They were Geelong, Corowa-Wahgunyah and Devenish-Dookie and district.
Wodonga finished just shy of the mark with $99,963 and then came Echuca-Moama.
The combined effort by the towns saw it finish ahead of Albury, Bendigo and Wangaratta.
Rochester finished with a $9803 total, with the Kyabram tally of $27,136 significantly increasing the shire total.
Tongala finished with a total of $5861, Elmore $5579, Cohuna $6596, Colbinabbin $3000, Rushworth $1943, Lockington $1128 and Corop $254.
Victorian fire brigades, under the umbrella of the CFA, have continued their support for the Good Friday Appeal with members out in force raising money for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The Victorian community opened their hearts once again this year, helping CFA raise an incredible $1,440,225.
After a difficult two years with a heavy reliance on online fundraising, CFA volunteers from across the entire state were elated to hit the streets in their local communities, rattling tins and collecting money.
Brigades that set up a Virtual Tin Shake also raised a total of $38,122 online.
CFA has been a major fundraiser for the Good Friday Appeal for the past 71 years and to date members have raised more than $36 million since 1951.
CFA acting chief officer Rohan Luke congratulated all involved in this year’s appeal.
“CFA members already give up their time to protect the lives of Victorians through their brigades, and it’s a credit to their community-mindedness that they also take time out to fundraise for such a great cause,” Mr Luke said.
“Congratulations to all our CFA volunteers involved, it was an amazing effort and you and your communities should be proud. It’s an honour that CFA continues to contribute in providing world-class care to our kids.”
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