URGENT REQUEST Local Kids Desperate for more GFA Funds
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
Recent Donations
$54
The Wadling Family
$30
Jakiah Svaljek
$12
Anonymous
$54
Jess Bender
$211
Alby & Odie Anderson
$106
David Aitchison
You are a star and an inspiration Belle Love the Aitcho’s
$54
Annina Nowak
$54
Mads Quayle
$33
Matilda Brown
$33
Jenna Hower
$33
Sarah Butler
$106
Ruth, Nick, Lily, Pippa, Lenny & Joey
$106
Tanya & Craig Davis
$106
Jason And Anthea Dyer
$106
Caitlin Hickey
$106
Marsha Montebello
Awesome job Larns!!! RCH was a real lifesaver for us.
$106
Canvas & Cork
$211
Anita & Peter Maher
$40
Sophie Vagg
$33
Emma Lewis
$50
Brad, Shea & Austin Paull
Great work!
$33
Amy Brewer
$33
Sheridan Jones
$33
Louise And Danny Haintz
$33
Whittney O’neill
$106
Cassie Healy
From the Healy family
$12
Samantha Holland
$111
Diana Paige
$22
Millie
Thanks Larn!
$100
Rob
$65
Georgia G
$6
Anonymous
$6
Harry Callahan
$211
Jack Max And Darcy Hayward
We love you lots Belle!! We’re proud of you for raising so much - well done :) Love from your cousins xoxoxo
$6
Isabella Butterworth
$6
Jack Corrigan
$485
La Movement Amazing Race
$33
Edward Waller
$33
Anonymous
$106
Nat Chapman
$100
Sarah Chibnall
We love you Belle and think you are a wonderful ambassador for RCH and all that you have raised over the years ❤️
$53
Soph C
$65
Will, Ange And Bobbi
$54
Katie West
$33
Rebecca Walker
$100
Taylor, Brant, Frankie And Tommy
$65
Zoe & Zac
Here’s to an epic Amazing Race!!
$33
Sharna Reynolds
$106
Chris & Tony Strahan
A special granddaughter with a 'beautiful heart'. Thanks RCH. Chris & Tony Strahan
$30
Gerry
Such an amazing cause, spent many hours there 37 years ago, I hope you reach your target
$106
Tim & Chrissie Mcphan & Our Girls
For all the babies, kids and teens who are brave and for all the parents and families who fight beside them xx
$23
Trish Timmins
$23
Alana S
$106
Jane Hill
$528
Mum And Dad
Eighteen years ago we met your Royal Children's Hospital team before we had even met you. We will be forever thankful for the amazing care that we have received, especially from Dr Remi Kowalski, Professor Michael Cheung and Dr Paul Brooks.XX
$23
Devon Mcgillicuddy
$54
Skin And Shan Baird
Awesome work Larns!
$65
Zoe & Gibbo
$65
Angie
$422
Lani Strahan
Pretty sure I heard you say I was the most awesome person you've ever met – true facts. Love from your favourite person ever. Peace out sis! xx
$106
Jumbo And Trish Anderson
$211
The Lifting Guys
$23
Lynne Watts
$33
Samantha Maher
$33
Amelia Wilson
$54
Bec Lewis
$211
Killa, James, Beetle And Stephi
$60
Lou
$106
Bel
$155
Goodstart Torquay Sausage Sizzle
Well done team!
$100
Anonymous
$106
Underdeck
Wish we could be there Larn
$50
Brigid Mcmahon
$23
Tiarni Hepworth
Happy Easter!
$65
Barry Mcfarlane
$33
Grant Family
From the Grant family sorry we couldn’t be there this year
$54
Symone Groom
❤️ Tom, Kai, Lola & Mone
$65
Mel, Zeb Miah And Marlo
So proud of you Belle 🩷✨ Love Mel, Zeb, Miah and Marlo xx
$106
Ria Charles
You will always be our Baby Belle! Love, Ria, Mal and Maya xoxo
$50
Joe Diffen
$106
Katrina Haintz
$106
Beverley Leeson
Well done Belle. 18 years is incredible as are you. Love G Auntie Bev
$54
Jordan Morrissey
$33
Spencer Ward
$32
Gretta Connell
$23
Lewis White
$200
J And E Hayward
Thank you RCH for caring for Belle in her first days. A fantastic gift to our family- Grandchild No1.
$150
Lois Ramsey
Thank you to Belle, family and friends for all your efforts since 2008. It’s great to be in your team.
$33
Hazel Gardiner
$33
Bek Gell
$106
Glenice And Ian
Belle, we love supporting you and the fabulous RCH. You’re a ‘champeen’! ♥️🤗
$528
Soda Communications
We love the great work you’re doing, xx
$54
Chels & Jimmy Mayne
$106
Marita Gilmour
$33
Ruben Watterson
$33
Joanna Hocking
$44
Elida Bello
$33
Brigid Papaix
$211
Mitch & Amy
$23
Louise Philpott
$33
Tam
Such a special cause, well done Larn x
$33
Sandra Knevitt-flentjar
$12
Anonymous
$65
Amanda Hough
Thankyou Peters
$54
Tess Moseley
We can’t make the run, hope it’s a fun day for a great cause!
$54
Emma
Great work as always Larns x
$6
Justine Hughes
$106
Wren Hueneke
$33
Molly Powell
$100
Sinclair Family
Thanks so much everybody
$23
Reggie And Winnie Rahilly
$33
Rebecca Spiteri
Murphy Thomson
$100
Jesse O’sullivan
$12
Emelye Woodyard
$150
Stuart Inglis
$12
Verna Meyer
$12
Maycee Little
$17
Mollly Irvin
Easter Raffle
$54
Janaya Inglis
love your work guys x
$28
Wilson
Wilson and baby brother
$33
Millie Foss
Easter Raffle
$23
Talia Hogan
Alby / Zinnia Hogan
$12
Kate Doonan
Doonan/Darke
$33
Amelia Forrest
$104
Bob Brackin
Happy to support this great cause
$60
Jane Thomas
$33
Leigh Wright
Great cause, always happy to put my hand in the hip pocket.
$106
Noel Turnbull
The good guys battle to do good while others wreak disasters need to be supported.
$54
Libby Fuller
$106
Elizabeth Humphries
Well Done, both Peter's, for continuing to fly the flag for RCH!
$106
Roy Morris
$211
Alarna Anderson
$23
Paula Grembka
$6
Peter Thomas
$6
Peter Thomas
A starter.
Congratulations on your incredible fundraising Belle! You are a wonderful ambassador for the GFA! 🫶🥰👏🏻