By KATRINA BRANDON and LIAM DURKIN

 

LATROBE Valley locals showed their generosity in spades this Good Friday, with many community groups and businesses taking part in the annual appeal.

Moe and Newborough raised an astonishing $96,445.31, placing it in the top 10 regional towns on the state’s leaderboard.

Moe Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal Committee leader Sue Bechaz was overwhelmed with the response.

“(We) wish to thank the amazing generous people of Moe and Newborough who donated to the appeal towards the outstanding amount, gaining us the unbelievable achievement of being in the top 10 of the regional towns tally board,” she said.

“We would like to thank the local businesses who generously donated goods and prizes for our fabulous 24 hour fun run, which resulted in raising over $18,000.

“Thank you to everyone who supported this great cause in any way.

“We are very proud of the great support we get every year from the Moe and Newborough people.”

In Traralgon, the Royal Exchange Hotel Cork Club was busy shaking tins last Thursday and Friday (April 2-3).

From 7am to 7pm, the team could be found at McDonalds Traralgon plaza and McDonald’s Traralgon East, as well as at BP Traralgon East from 7am to 2pm on Good Friday.

The Royal Exchange Hotel also ran a community family fun day from 10am to 2pm.

The day featured live country music, a sausage sizzle, coffee vans, donut stands, fairy floss, face painting, giant games and air brush tattoos.

Joining the effort was the Country Fire Authority, who brought its fire trucks along, while also running the kids’ favourite fishing games and the annual car show – featuring classic beauties from the ’50s and ’70s supported by the Latrobe Valley Street Machiners Car Club.

The Royal Exchange Hotel Cork Club has been donating to the Royal Children’s Hospital since 1973.

The story goes that three blokes were having a beer, and two decided to have a bet, with the loser having to donate money to the children’s ward at the local hospital.

When the donation was declined, they decided to donate the money to the Royal Children’s Hospital instead.

From these humble beginnings, a tradition was born.

Across the state, more than $2 million was raised for this year’s Good Friday Appeal.

The money raised for The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal will be used to ensure kids are provided with the best possible treatment and care. Moe RCH Good Friday Appeal Committee wished to thank Oliver’s Butchers, Bakers Delight, Moe Fruit Market, Saviges Rd Fast & Ezy, Butchers On George, The Club Hotel Warragul, Moe Lions Club, MIRC, Danielle Daly and Lauren Wilson for their support. Prize winners for the Easter raffle, which raised an amazing $3880, were: Kate Luke, Tracey Johnson, Jodie Mace, Chris and Isla Farley.