Ava the Rare Metabolic Warrior

Good Friday Appeal 2025

Give for the kids!

Join me for the Good Friday Appeal. 



Will you help me and do something really GOOD for sick kids?

I'm giving it my all to raise funds for the Good Friday Appeal this year. Why? So The Royal Children's Hospital can continue to provide the world-class care to seriously sick children and their families.

Please give generously. I've set a goal to raise as many funds as possible because this is our chance to make a brighter future for all kids.

Every dollar you give will help fund state-of-the-art equipment, groundbreaking research, staff training and patient care.

There have been SO MANY kids who have had life-saving care at The 
Royal Children's Hospital. I need your help to make sure that kids can keep getting that special care this year, and the next… and the next.

I need your support to reach my fundraising goal and to help as many sick kids and their families as possible, please donate today. 

I‘ve created this page because I want to make a difference to the lives of sick kids.

The Good Friday Appeal relies on the support of the community to raise funds to ensure that The Royal Children's Hospital is able to continue to provide world class care to patients and their families. From 2022 to 2023 at The Royal Children's Hospital: 90,260 patients presented to the Emergency Department, 50,345 children and young people were admitted to a ward, 407,563 children and young people attended an outpatient appointment, and 14,963 patients underwent surgery. So please help by giving whatever you are able to this fundraiser and help spread the word by sharing this page with your friends, family and networks. Thank you for your generosity, it means a lot!

with heart

My Updates

💙 Carlton Blues Ambassador 💙

Thursday 17th Apr
Wow 🤩 I am blown away at all the support I have had on this journey! I can’t believe I am close to $6000 with the fundraising, including the auction of Harry McKay’s boots. To every single person who has donated, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART 💓 Some have donated multiple times and I am so very grateful. Today I had the chance to run around with the Carlton players, in preparation for tomorrow’s match against the North Melbourne Roos. I will be the Carlton ambassador tomorrow and I am extremely honoured to have this role. Go BLUES! Dig deep this Good Friday 💜🩷💚

Why am I continuing my fundraising efforts?

Thursday 13th Mar
The biggest WHY?
Because I wouldn’t be here without the Royal Children’s Hospital.

They were the ones who told me I was “sick”.

I was fortunate enough not to present to emergency so unwell that I needed to tests to find out what was wrong with me.
I was diagnosed with my Rare Disease, via the newborn bloodspot screening test AKA the heel prick test.

Although absolutely terrifying for the family to be told of this disease, we were so glad we were placed into emergency care, educated from the beginning, airlifted immediately to Melbourne by PIPER and commenced our journey with the hospital.
Mum and Dad were able to stay at the hospital and be with me as often as needed at any time of the day or night. 
This alone, is a reason why I am giving back.

After being discharged right before my very first Christmas and reunited with the rest of my family, I was then on weekly blood tests from Shepparton. These samples were taken in the morning, separated, frozen and couriered to Melbourne all in the same day.
Again, At the expense of the Royal Children’s Hospital.

I continue to have these blood tests, monthly not weekly. 
At the expense of the Hospital.

I will forever owe my life and childhood to this hospital.

They help so many of us, especially in rural Victoria, to get the help and medical treatment we need, with world class care and treatment.

This is my why.

This is why I will flood Mum’s facebook feeds with requests for donations.
Because today you might not be able to donate, but next week you might.

No matter the size of your donation, every little bit helps.

Thank you so much.
Love Ava 🌸

Rare Disease Day February 28th

Friday 28th Feb
Today is Rare Disease Day.

We got to celebrate at school by raising funds and wearing bright coloured T-Shirts.
I walked around the classrooms and told them all about my Rare Disease and that all the money was going towards the Good Friday Appeal.

We Raised over $300!!!! I am so excited and so thankful to everyone who brought a donation and to those who have donated on my page.

Thank you so much!!! 

“More than you can imagine”

Ava 🩷

THANK YOU….. So Far

Tuesday 25th Feb
Wow, I am absolutely amazed by the generosity of my family and friends.
I had set a target of $500. I was able to increase this target to $1000, then $1,500 and now I have been able increase my goal again to $2,000.
I am so excited to make a valuable difference to the hospital and care team that continues look after me and who have, since I was 16 days old.
I can’t wait to share some very exciting news about my role on Good Friday…. Coming soon….

Until then, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for every single donation. I am beyond excited.

Love Ava x

Regional GFA ambassador

Tuesday 11th Feb

Day of diagnosis

Tuesday 11th Feb

Our Story

Tuesday 11th Feb

Like any lively six-year-old (now 7), Ava Rees loves chocolate.

But she knows more than a small bite at a time could lead to permanent brain damage.

“At Easter, I can’t have chocolate Easter eggs,” the grade 1 (2) student said.

“It could make my brain go silly and make me go to hospital and die.

“It just makes me upset because I can’t have chocolate, milk and lots of other stuff that’s yummy.”

Ava, from Numurkah in the Goulburn Valley, was born with a genetic condition called Maple Syrup Urine Disease that is so rare it affects only one in 150,000 children.

She must follow a strict low-protein diet for life: no meat, no dairy, limited gluten.

Ava has been a patient at the Royal Children’s Hospital since she was a newborn, after her disease was detected by a routine heel prick test.

Mrs Rees was told to rush Ava into Shepparton Hospital’s emergency department, from where she was flown to the Royal Children’s in Melbourne.

“The diagnosis was horrible; the first 12 months was horrible,” Mrs Rees said.

“She has to be on a very strict low-protein diet or she can get brain damage.

“Absolute worst case, if she went off diet, she’d be very ill and end up in a coma. So it’s very, very serious, but easily managed.”

From when she was tiny, Ava learned to say, “I can’t have that because it will hurt my brain.”

The name for the disease stems from a symptom – people with maple syrup urine disease can have sweet-smelling urine, similar to maple syrup, when they get ill.

Ava has a weekly finger prick blood test to check her amino acids, and her diet is tweaked accordingly.

But Mrs Rees said after sending the sample to the Royal Children’s, it took a week to get the results.

Mrs Rees hopes the Good Friday Appeal’s expansion of funding to regional hospitals could mean Ava’s blood samples can be tested locally.

“If we can get results the same day, it would mean we could potentially play around with her diet,” she said. “But we can’t risk that now.”

Written by Jen Kelly
Published in the Herald Sun 09/02/2024


Recent Donations

$106.12

Harrison

$106.12

Anita Eddy

Love you Ava 💖

$54.12

Leanne Ryan

So lucky we have the best hospital in Victoria for kids like you Ava. Well done Tammy and family. X

$22.58

Sarah Butler

$64.67

Sheridan Davies

$22.58

Michelle

$54.12

Sandra Wellington

$33.15

Elise Privitera

Warrior is an understatement! And the Team Rees that are with you every step of the way, inspirational. X

$106.12

Cathy & David Beer

💜💚 Great fundraising, Ava! 💚💜

$33.15

Bern Thorp

$103.72

Bree Guerra

$615

Karen Burrows

$64.67

The Herbert Family

Wonderful Cause! Love from Ashlin Herbert- age 5. And Family - central coast NSW Living with MSUD. Xxxxxxx

$33.15

Cornell Family

$54.12

Kemp Family

Ava and fam, you are all amazing. Congratulations and thank you Ava on raising all this money for RCH. You really are a little legend. 🌟 Have fun today. Go Blues ❤️❤️❤️

$54.12

Dianne & Bob

Good luck

$22.58

Bridgette Robertson

You are amazing Ava & thank you RCH for all of your incredible work.

$22.58

Dominic Beagley

Your are amazing Ava!

$22.58

Emma Keane

Amazing work Ava and team! What a champion you are.

$22.58

Michelle

$33.15

Gab Mayberry

$22.58

Julie

Good work Ava you’re a little gem😘

$54.12

Blayze Mikayla Kehlani Penny

From Mikayla Blayze Kehlani

$33.15

Lynette Jenkins

$33.15

Rachael Morrison

Ava Rees - You are a star ⭐️

$22.58

Daniel Rees

$30

Pat & Ashlie Hendy

$11.65

Val Gunn

$33.15

Lozz Harris

Such a wonderful cause. Good on you Ava.

$33.15

Narelle Page

Such an inspiration Ava keep smiling that beautiful smile 😀

$22.58

Murray Valley Mufflers

Another one to add

$54.12

Sonia Strachan

$11.65

Liam Boxtel & Family

Go get 'em Ava!

$30

Jacinta Rossborough

$11.65

Anonymous

$6.13

Peyton Lee

You rock Ava

$6.13

Addyson Lee

Go Ava!

$6.13

Erryn

So proud of you Ava!

$22.58

Loreena Keane

Amazing work Ava!

$33.15

Kim Thompson

Amazing effort Ava

$30

Nanna & Grandpa

For Ava, Love Nanna and Grandpa

$100

Darryn & Tammy Scurlock

$32.43

Hoiles Boys

Well done Ava!

$11.65

Amy Paisley

$17.16

Patching Fam

Go Ava you little pocket rocket! Love from the Patching Sisters xoxo

$11.65

Pippa Harris

$54.12

Harper, Lenny, Liam & Adrienne Gledhill

One brave girl & family Ava 💪🏼 🌟

$106.12

Jane, Barney, Rahni, Jobe And Seb Garner.

Wishing you all the very best Ava🩷 Great job on raising so much money for such a worthy cause! 😻

$54.12

Pete, Mel, Emily & Benji

You're amazing, Ava!

$6.13

Kautai Family

So proud of you Ava (& Tammie)

$180

Ava’s Donations From Numurkah Tyrepower

Thank-you to the customers of Numurkah Tyrepower for all of your donations.

$22.58

Cindy Mckenzie

$106.12

Austin & Elly & Charlie Murrell

Well done, Ava!

$54.12

Martin Family

You and your family are champions Miss Ava

$33.15

Alana Kimberlin

$22.58

Anonymous

$50

Lee

Wonderful effort Ava! You'll get your 100 and more, I hope. Love from Ben's Mum. xxoo

$106.12

Tracey Bannon

$23.50

Dom, Deb, Maddie & Benji 🥰

Well done Ava 👏

$106.12

Naracoorte Tyrepower

Happy to help you fund-raiser for a great cause! Pam, Phil, Hannah and Chelsea

$54.12

Bec Tenace

$50

Colleen Ohara

$22.58

Ann Milkins

$64.67

Sam Birrell

$54.12

Sandy Hunt

Doing it for the kids

$6.13

Bec And Boys

Hope you get your $48 in 48 hours Ava. Good luck xx

$106.12

Fiona And Barry

So much love, so well done

$11.65

Burkitt Family

You’re a little champ Ava!

$54.12

Heather Limbrick

$106.12

Nicole Reade

You and your family are amazing Ava! 👏

$11.65

Joe And Gail Imbesi

Thinking of you and your precious family Ava xxx

$17.16

Mary And Colin

Just for you Ava 😘

$100

Tanya

You’re a superstar Ava 💪🏼😍

$50

Mikayla, Blayze & Kehlani

Go Ava!!!

$100

Erin Reghenzani

$22.58

Marg Paulo

Good luck hope you do well xx

$208.60

Annemaree Mayberry

$22.58

Fiona

$54.12

Anonymous

Ava , It’s My pleasure to help ❤️. My son Mitch spent some time at the children’s hospital when he was 10 year old. They helped him . He went to school and lived near with your mummy , aunty Shannyn and uncle Cody . Good luck , you are doing an excellent job. Leonie xx

$38.33

Nanna And Grandpa

Well done little Rocket

$320.83

St Joseph's School Numurkah

$106.12

Ashleigh Mayberry

$119.15

Claire Ives

You are such a little trooper and so brave - go Ava

$22.58

Em & Nat

Onya Ava!

$20

Clem Mayberry

$10

Kellan Lynch- Rees

$33.15

David Delaney

Good work Ava you are superstar

$42.64

Sophie And April Caccianiga

Go Ava ❤️

$54.12

Evie Clurey

Good job Ava!

$106.12

Courtney Ireland

Love the Irelands, we hope you get to your goal Ava!!

$13.15

Abbi Harris

Great job Ava! Love Pippa

$100

Numurkah Contracting

$106.12

Hendy’s

Superstar

$33.15

Bronwyn Carland

$22.58

Kim Mcpherson

Great work Ava!

$106.12

Dunkinway Tyrepower Cohuna

$33.15

Luca Delaney Gonzalez

Almost there! 🙌🏽💪🏽

$33.15

Rawso

$22.58

Anonymous

$22.58

Kylie Botterill

Hoping that one day tests can be regional for Ava 🤞🏻

$54.12

Marg Brown

$11.65

Bec

Great work Ava! You are getting close to your goal ⭐️

$33.15

Nicola, Ollie, Erin & Oliver Xx

Go Ava !

$39.35

Letoya Jones

$59.41

Ian And Vicki

GREAT WORK AVA. Good luck with you fund-raising.

$106.12

Janine Thorp

Go Ava. You are a superstar 💫

$33.15

Margo

$22.58

Vicki Brown

$54.12

Lisa Holdem

Big Love from the Tassie Crew xxx

$30

Stacey Dick

$30

The Bloodworths

$54.12

Tyrepower Wodonga

$20

Kerrie Chapman

$22.10

Brooke

Woohoo you go Ava such a warrior

$64.67

John Miller

Strong and beautiful Warrior. We are right behind you. Love from Aunty Jenny and Uncle John. X

$22.58

The Muck Clan

Your once amazing little human xo

$54.12

Amber Barry

Good on you! ♥️ What a great cause.

$100

Andrew And April Macdonald

Ava you're a superstar!

$22.58

Wendy Drew

Good on you Ava. Good luck.x

$30

Louise Shannon

Well done Miss Ava

$33.15

Kelley Horan

Thinking of you

$33.15

Rob & Jodie Small

$33.15

Kristy

Good job Ava

$106.12

Robyn Coonan

Great job Ava ❤️

$33.15

Ava Rees

View all donations

icon welbie hello

Online Funds raised over the years

$ raised since 2024