Regional and rural Victorian and southern New South Wales communities have once again demonstrated their generosity, contributing significantly to the 2026 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. 

Regional and rural Victoria tally is: $5,929,934

Top 10 fundraising towns are: 

1. Albury/Wodonga $268,457.42
2. Ballarat $217,609.72
3. Devenish Dookie & District $200,722.04
4. Geelong $172,722.50
5. Wangaratta $152,324.56
6. Echuca/Moama $134,989.33
7. Bendigo $107,469.94
8. Corowa Wahgunyah $106,067.96
9. Warrnambool $103,927.98
10. Moe/Newborough $96,445.31

The final 2026 Good Friday Appeal tally is: $25,268,485

A characteristic of regional towns is their whole community’s commitment to supporting the cause with many towns who are small in size but big in heart. These towns punch well above their population weight, raising extraordinary amounts despite their small populations. The towns of Boorhaman, Devenish Dookie & District, Tarnagulla, Berriwillock, Streatham, Mininera & Westmere, Garvoc, Condah, Torrumbarry, Glenorchy, Yambuk. 

The Good Friday Appeal extends its gratitude to its regional volunteers, 221 Area Managers, and partners, including the CFA, who work tirelessly to bring the Appeal to life each year. 

GFA Area managers across 229 regional Victoria and southern NSW towns organised intersection collections, door knocks and events to support the kids, with many towns celebrating incredible legacies of giving. 

• Donald 75 years
• Hopetoun 70
• Morwell 65 
• Moe/Newborough 55
• Mortlake 55
• Birchip 55

Another 18 towns marked 50 years of fundraising. Thanks to Jeparit, Gisborne, Koroit, Riddells Creek,Pyramid Hill, Stanhope, Charlton, Marysville, Warburton, Willaura, Edenhope, Mooroopna, Myrtleford, Marnoo, Euroa, Port Fairy, Nyah, Rupanyup, and Portland.

Special acknowledgement must go to the CFA who has been supporting the Good Friday Appeal for 75 years this year with the Donald Fire Brigade first fundraising back in 1951. An incredible $2,150,000 was raised by the CFA this year with over 225 Brigades fundraising, bringing their total to $43,150,000 this year.

There were also very creative fundraisers in addition to tin shaking and door knocking. At the famous Duckie Drop in Boorhaman, rabbit poo lotto in Nhill, and the annual Yabbie races at the Tungamah Hotel, local communities raised $138,505.00. In Wangarrata, Will Nolan aka Shagger cut his dreadlocks for the first time in 13 years and raised $20,343. 

Penny Fowler, Chair of the Good Friday Appeal, said:
“Each year we are reminded just how far the work of the Royal Children’s Hospital goes across the state, and it’s incredible to see such a huge fundraising result across regional communities for the 95th year of the appeal. 

Giving for the kids is at the heart of the Good Friday Appeal, and the incredible generosity of regional Victoria continues to shine. From small towns to larger regional centres, communities have united to make a meaningful difference for sick children and their families. Families are doing it tougher than ever when it comes to cost of living. Their unwavering support highlights the compassion and strength of our regional volunteers, donors, and supporters. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this year’s remarkable result.“ 

Rebecca Cowan, Executive Director of the Good Friday Appeal, said:
“We are continually inspired by the dedication and generosity of regional Victorians. We know that regional Victoria is the backbone of the Good Friday Appeal. This year’s incredible total is a reflection of the passion and commitment of these communities. From creative fundraising initiatives to tireless tin rattlers to 75 years of the CFA, every effort has made a real difference for sick children and their families.” 

This year’s Appeal continues its commitment to regional Victoria by funding essential equipment, scholarships, and programs with a further $3M distributed to five regional health services.  This brings the total over 3 years of regional health service funding to $8.5M, highlighting the Good Friday Appeal and The Royal Children’s Hospital’s commitment to every child. 

Some of the 30+ health services, within the five regions include: 

• Barwon South West – Barwon Health, Colac Area Health & Barwon South West Health Services
• Gippsland – Central Gippsland Health Service, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Latrobe Regional Health, West Gippsland Healthcare Group
• Hume – Goulburn Valley Health, Albury Wodonga Health & Northeast Health Wangaratta 
• Grampians – Beaufort & Skipton Health Service, Central Highlands Rural Health,, East Grampians Health Service, East Wimmera Health Service, Maryborough District Health Service, Rural Northwest Health, West Wimmera Health Service
• Loddon Mallee – Bendigo Health,Dhelkaya Health, Echuca Regional Health, Mildura Base Public Hospital, Swan Hill District Health

Rebecca added:
“We are thrilled that this year’s Appeal will help strengthen regional health services, allowing families to access world-class care without needing to travel far from their communities.“ 

The Good Friday Appeal would not have been possible without the support of its generous partners; Principal Partners: Herald Sun and Channel 7, Media Partners: The Weekly Times, Geelong Advertiser, 3AW, Smooth & Nova, QMS Media, Ace Radio, GAWK Outdoor; Partners: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, City of Melbourne, Telstra, Woolworths, Henley Homes, Villawood Properties, CFA, RCH Auxiliaries, North Melbourne and Carlton Football Clubs and the AFL, DECJUBA Foundation, Cadbury, Uncle Bob’s Club, Pied Pipers, Racing Victoria, Victoria Racing Club, Chemist Warehouse, Bambi Mini Co, Bunnings, Costco, Little Athletics Victoria, Hunky Dory, ALH, and AHA Vic. Raffle Partners: Qatar Airways, Majestic Caravans, Mazda, Hurtigruten, Ampol and Crown Resorts Foundation.

Many of these partners also marked incredible milestones of support: CFA has been supporting for 75 years from the first tin rattling in the regional town of Donald, and in metro Melbourne Craigieburn CFA is marking 25 years of collection activities. Woolworths have raised nearly $31 million across 39 years, Run for the Kids are celebrating their 20th anniversary and have raised $25,420,000. Cadbury are marking 25 years and have raised $2.2 million, DECJUBA Foundation are celebrating 5 years and have given $1 million given for the mental health project, and across the Racing Industry with RV $150,000 and VRC $123,539. ALH hotels has raised over $900,000 in 20 years from Parma for the Kids, with Bambi Mini Co and Josh’s Rainbow Eggs also marking 5 years of support.

Since 1931, the Good Friday Appeal has raised over $517 million, bringing Victorians together to support The Royal Children’s Hospital and regional health services. Every dollar makes a meaningful difference for sick children and their families. This enduring partnership with the Victorian community, corporate sponsors, and dedicated volunteers is a testament to the incredible power of collective action. 

The Good Friday Appeal extends immense gratitude to its partners, Area Managers, and volunteers for their dedication. Together, we’ve achieved something truly extraordinary. 

-ENDS-  

For media enquiries, please contact:  

Alyssa Allen   |   0437 758 786   |   alyssaa@bastionagency.com  

Niamh O’Hare   |   0402 730 596   |   niamho@bastionagency.com    

Georgia Comensoli  |   0403 724 772   |   georgiac@bastionagency.com

For more information about Good Friday Appeal head to: 2026 media hub