VRC welcomes the Good Friday Appeal as new community partner

For over 91 years, the Good Friday Appeal has raised funds for The Royal Children's Hospital. In that time, the Appeal has raised over $421m so that it can continue to provide world class care for children from Victoria and beyond.

Flemington racegoers will be encouraged to contribute across Super Saturday and TAB Australian Cup Day, with GFA volunteers out in force rattling tins and selling raffle tickets for a dedicated Race Day Raffle generously supported by the VRC’s partners TCL, Dyson and Myer.

Those purchasing tickets to the Flemington Racing Spectacular via Ticketmaster will also have the opportunity to donate funds directly to the appeal during their transaction.

All proceeds raised will help contribute to the Good Friday Appeal’s 2023 fundraising campaign. The support funds The Royal Children’s Hospital’s ground-breaking research, state of the art equipment and technology, family centred care programs while also attracting and retaining the brightest minds.

The Good Friday Appeal and Flemington

The Good Friday Appeal has a long association with Flemington. In 1931, upon hearing the Children’s Hospital was at risk of closure a group of journalists held a sports carnival to raise money for sick children. A football match involving jockeys from Flemington and Caulfield played in front of a crowd of 20,000 spectators raised 427 pounds. This started a legacy of giving and it set in motion a force for good that has never stopped.

The Good Friday Appeal is Victoria’s largest charity and VRC Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich said the club was delighted to be partnering with them in an official capacity.

“The Flemington Racing Spectacular with three Saturdays at Flemington in March is the highlight of Victoria’s autumn racing period and we want to use this platform to assist the important work of the Good Friday Appeal,” Mr Rosich said.

“The Royal Children’s Hospital is one of the world’s leading hospitals that provides essential care to very sick children. It takes care of families in impossible situations and as one of our neighbours in the Flemington precinct, we are very pleased to join our fellow Victorians and lend our support to such a worthy cause.”

Executive Director of the Good Friday Appeal, Rebecca Cowan, said we are thrilled to have the VRC supporting the Good Friday Appeal.

“We’re excited to welcome the Victoria Racing Club onboard as an official partner of the Good Friday Appeal. From the Appeal’s inception, there has been a strong connection to the sporting community. We’re pleased supporters of the Flemington Racing Spectacular will be able to support the Appeal’s fundraising efforts.

“The partnership with the VRC and generous donations is just one example of how the racing community has stood together to support this very important cause to ensure The Royal Children’s Hospital continues to deliver the best care possible for our kids,” Ms Cowan said. 

For more information on the VRC’s community initiatives please visit vrc.com.au/community/community-programs/

About the Good Friday Appeal

Since 1931, the Good Friday Appeal has been dedicated to fundraising for The Royal Children’s Hospital so that it can continue to provide world class care for children across Victoria and beyond.

The generous donations of the many Victorians across each suburb and region helps to make The Royal Children’s Hospital so special. It’s because of the continued support of the Victorian community that The Royal Children’s Hospital continues to grow and be at the forefront of paediatric care to help sick kids.

This year’s Good Friday Appeal will take place on Friday, 7 April. Every donation, no matter how big or small, makes an enormous difference to helping The Royal Children’s Hospital to be a great hospital, providing world class care and continuing their work in leading the way as one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals, helping kids live healthy lives and realise their full potential.