The Cobram CFA raised $21,551.35 for the Appeal with the help of the Cobram, Barooga and Yarroweyah communities.
“From all of us, thank you for your continued support... your time and commitment to this terrific cause does not go unnoticed,” a Cobram CFA spokesperson said.
The Strathmerton CFA raised $6220.58 for the Good Friday Appeal, with $1000 raised by the Railway Hotel.
A local Cobram family raised over $10,000 for the second year in a row with an online campaign and raffle.
Benji Youd, 6, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and has spent a lot of time at the Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital.
His family got involved in the appeal as a way to say “thank you” to the hospital.
Benji’s mum, Victoria Paterson, said they were “very surprised” that they beat their goal, raising a total of $10,302.
She said Benji was “very excited” when he found out how much they had raised.
“It was a huge community effort,” she said.
“It was nice to see the community rally around us again like last year.”
A large anonymous donation of $1500 at the very end put the family over the line in reaching their goal.
“Without that anonymous donation it would not have been possible,” Victoria said.
“A big thank you to everyone who participated.”
Alongside their online campaign, the family sold raffle tickets for a Build-A-Bear that Benji made last year specifically for the appeal.
Local man Todd bought many raffle tickets and won the brown bear, dressed in a police uniform, for his young son.
Good Friday Appeal chair Penny Fowler said it was incredible to see such a huge fundraising result across regional communities.
“Giving for the kids is at the heart of the Good Friday Appeal, and the incredible generosity of regional Victoria continues to shine,” she said.
“From small towns to larger regional centres, communities have united to make a meaningful difference for sick children and their families.”
Good Friday Appeal executive director Rebecca Cowan said regional Victoria was the “backbone” of the Appeal.
“This year’s Appeal continues its commitment to regional Victoria by funding essential equipment, scholarships and programs with a further $3m distributed to five regional health services,” she said.
“This brings the total over three years of regional health service funding to $8.5 million, highlighting the Good Friday Appeal and The Royal Children’s Hospital’s commitment to every child.
“We are thrilled that this year’s Appeal will help strengthen regional health services, allowing families to access world-class care without needing to travel far from their communities.“
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