Victorians have united in the most spectacular way, delivering a record-breaking total for the 2026 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, demonstrating their extraordinary generosity and community spirit.

Final Total: $25,268,485

Marking 95 years of community support, sick children and their families will continue to access world-class care from the Royal Children’s Hospital.

From tin shaking to raffles, fundraisers, auctions, and events, regional and rural Victoria and Southern New South Wales alone contributed an impressive $5,929,934

Penny Fowler, Chairman of the Good Friday Appeal, said:
“Marking 95 years, the community showed what big hearts they have, especially in the light of cost of living challenges. Giving for the kids has always been at the heart of this Appeal, and year after year, across the state, Victorians continue to show extraordinary generosity and compassion. From regional towns to metro Melbourne, communities have united to make a meaningful difference for sick children and their families. Every donation, big or small, helps ensure children receive the world-class care they deserve regardless of where they live. We extend our heartfelt thanks to every volunteer, donor, fundraiser and supporter who made this possible.”

Rebecca Cowan, Executive Director of the Good Friday Appeal, said:
“This incredible amount is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when communities come together for a shared purpose. From local, regional fundraisers to major events, such as Run for the Kids and the annual Channel 7 Telethon, every contribution has helped build a legacy of ongoing support of The Royal Children’s Hospital. Your fundraising efforts ensure we can continue delivering life-saving care, advanced technology, and vital funding to health services across Victoria for generations to come.”

This year’s donations will support a range of important projects including the GEMStone study, which is a project conducting state-of-the-art genomic testing to address genetic conditions, which are the leading cause of death in children in high-income countries. The funding will also go toward MRI-compatible Neonatal Transport Ventilations, which will reduce the risk of transport and allow improved management of intubated babies in the hospital. There is $3 million in funding allocated to more than 30 regional health services, to ensure every child receives the best possible healthcare, no matter what their postcode is. 

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.

Lou Glavan and his family also mark 20 years of fundraising, with the final Jakob’s Day fundraiser totalling to $1.1M, leaving a lasting legacy in memory of his and wife Anna’s son, Jakob, who passed away at the RCH as a baby. This commitment to fundraising was made in  the hope that Jakob’s brief life would make a positive difference to other children’s journeys through the RCH.

Across regional Victoria, the 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

221 Area managers across regional Victoria and southern NSW once again rallied to support the kids, with many towns celebrating incredible legacies of giving. 

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

With another 18 towns marking 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. 

Since 1931, the Good Friday Appeal has raised over $517 million total raised over the 95 years, with every dollar making a difference for sick children and their families. This enduring partnership with the Victorian community, corporate sponsors, and volunteers is a shining example of the power of collective action.

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

For media enquiries, please contact: 

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

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