ALTHOUGH they might be small, two local towns have shown just how big their heart is when it comes to supporting the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The far-reaching impact of the hospital became apparent when a list of the top 10 fundraising locations per capita was published in a Melbourne newspaper at the weekend.
Among the top 10 communities were Berriwillock and Tooleybuc.
Nearly $10,300 was raised in Tooleybuc in 2013. In Berriwillock, the community opened their hearts and emptied their pockets — donating more than $30,000 to the cause.
For Tooleybuc resident Tracey Domaille, the fundraiser has become a family affair, with her children and relatives also helping out.
Her uncle, Bob Main, ran a fundraiser in the town before he passed away in 2007.
In 2008, Ms Domaille took over the organisation of the local Good Friday Appeal and in the past six years the town has raised more than $60,000 through a tin shake on the bridge and spinning wheel event at the Tooleybuc Sporting Club.
“Very rarely do we get knocked back,” she said.
“I think everybody knows a story, everybody knows somebody [who has been to the Royal Children’s Hospital] and of course when it is kids… it is a very worthwhile cause.”
Ms Domaille even has her own personal connection to the hospital.
Her eldest son, Ryan, swallowed a coin when he was four years old, and was raced to Melbourne for treatment.
“It is amazing being there as a patient and seeing what people go through on a day-to-day basis,” she said.
Berriwillock made number two on the top 10 list. Organiser Max Nunn said items for the annual Good Friday auction came from farmers, shop owners and individuals from not only Berriwillock, but also Swan Hill, Bendigo and Melbourne.
“We are a pretty proud town, but we’ve got to thank other towns for their donations — it is not just Berriwillock — it is a community effort,” Mr Nunn said.
The Berriwillock auction will be held at the Golden Crown Hotel, on Thursday at 7pm.
The spinning wheel will be held at the Tooleybuc Sporting Club also on Thursday night, with the tin shake on the bridge Thursday and Friday.
FUNDRAISING tins will also be rattling throughout Nyah in the coming days as the community bands together to raise much-needed funds for the Good Friday Appeal.
Each year the Nyah/Nyah West Country Fire Authority and the Koraleigh Rural Fire Service join forces with the Nyah Good Friday Appeal committee to raise funds for the hospital.
Local appeal coordinator Vicki Allen said the Nyah district community had been supporting the appeal since it began running.
While they haven’t kept a tab on exactly how much they have raised over the years, their fundraising efforts have exceeded $60,000 in the last decade.
“It’s a good feeling to be able to help out,” Ms Allen said.
“Everyone has a connection to the appeal somewhere along the way.”
The appeal will kick off in Nyah on Thursday afternoon and will run until Friday evening.
