The 2026 Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children’s Hospital is missing volunteers and donations.

Across Victoria, following recent floods and fires, countless people have put up their hands to help others. Even in challenging times, the power of community support continues to shine.

The 2026 Royal Children’s Hospital (RGH) Good Friday Appeal (GFA) local volunteer Area Manager, Peter McMahon, Ph: 0411 112 047, recognises the efforts of those volunteers, including many locals whom he knows.

“It’s the same volunteers, with many more locals, who power the GFA fundraising throughout regional Victoria, including Torquay and its surrounds.

 “Last year, Victorian volunteers successfully raised $23 million for the Good Friday Appeal including millions distributed to local health services to help them achieve excellence in paediatric treatment not only in the RCH itself, but now also in our very own local health services,” he said.

“But this year we desperately need our nearby health services to gain more of the same excellence as is available in the RCH in Melbourne, but we know money is tight. 

Please follow the link below if you are able to contribute towards ensuring our local kids receive the best health services into the future.

Karen Goddard, Paediatric Clinical Nurse Educator at Barwon Health, knows first-hand just how valuable this support is for local families.

“After all, every child deserves top-quality healthcare, no matter where they live”, declared Karen.

“Thanks to this funding, our staff are getting access to training and resources that you’d normally only find in Metro Melbourne.

“A key initiative was the rollout of consistent neonatal resuscitation training right across the Barwon region.

“The funding has also made a huge difference in supporting young people with eating disorders and mental health challenges—a growing need everywhere”.

Karen added, “The Children’s Ward at University Hospital Geelong is currently being revamped to include spaces where kids and teens can connect, take part in group activities, and feel supported during  their recovery.

“On top of that, we’ve been able to create specialised training for staff, support nurses taking on youth mental health postgraduate study, and send team members to courses and conferences so they’re equipped with up-to-date skills and knowledge.

“We’ve seen first hand just how much this funding has helped our region, and we’re excited to see what future support from the Good Friday Appeal might bring?”

If you would like to volunteer to help this great cause, contact  local volunteer Regional Area Manager, Peter McMahon; email - ben.bon1@bigpond.com or phone - 0411 112 047. He has a number of fundraising ideas which he will share readily.

Late News: Another $3 million investment by the Children's Hospital brings their total regional commitment to $8.5 million over three years, supporting more than 30 health services across the Barwon South West, Grampians, Hume, Gippsland and Loddon Mallee regions, as well as southern New South Wales.

However, more is needed to continue this great work.

To donate: 

https://fundraise.goodfridayappeal.com.au/fundraisers/Torquay