Record $15 million raised for children’s hospital

Continuing a tradition that began in 1931, the Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital Easter appeal hit a new record.

Victorians have dug deep to raise a record breaking $15 million for Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital in their Good Friday Appeal.

The midnight tally stood at $15,820,640.78 eclipsing last year's record of $15.1 million. The appeal has received $230 million in donations from the Victorian community since it began in 1931.

Retiring Executive Director Christine Unsworth said the response had been overwhelming.

Rural and regional collectors raised $3.6 million with an online auction raising a record $147,950, she said. Thousands of CFA tin rattlers around the state raised $1.25 million.

Fire fighters from the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board also took part in a 24-hour relay in the CBD to help the hospital reach its goal.

Money raised from the appeal will fund state-of-the art medical equipment, research and scholarship opportunities.

One priority item is a MR/PET machine, costing $8 million. This machine combines MRI and PET scans and would be the first in a paediatric hospital anywhere in the world.

Hundreds of Victorian schools also raised money for neo-natal cots that cost $29,000 each.

AAP

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