The 2020 Good Friday Appeal was officially launched yesterday (Thursday 5 March) at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The face of this year’s appeal is six-year-old Quinnie. Quinnie’s journey started with her dramatic entrance into the world.
At 34 weeks, Clare, Quinnie and twin sister Harriet’s mother, couldn’t feel the girls moving.
Rushing to the hospital with partner Jarrod, Harriet was found to have passed away and Quinnie was in serious danger as a consequence.
An emergency caesarean was undertaken. Quinnie was born with kidney damage and needed immediate help to survive.
After nearly four months experts at The Royal Children’s Hospital were able to get Quinnie to a stable condition; however she would need ongoing treatment.
Quinnie needed to become strong enough for a kidney transplant.
At aged two, the Royal Children’s Hospital found a donor match and Quinnie underwent kidney transplant surgery.
The surgery was successful and three years on, thanks to the ongoing support from the Royal Children’s Hospital, Quinnie is a ball of life and joy.
Firefighter Belinda Harris, with Quinnie and sister firefighter, Jodie Harris
Since 1951 CFA members have proudly raised funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Last year the appeal raised $18,175,467 with CFA raising $1.6 million of that, almost 10 per cent. More than $34 million has been raised by members in total over the years.
CFA volunteers attended the launch and performed a guard of honour, walking Quinnie to the stage.
A/Executive Director People, Culture and Safety Garry Cook was in attendance, and spoke of the importance of this appeal.
“Our efforts in fundraising, and the support that everyone contributes to such a wonderful cause, help children just like Quinnie and her family, get the support they need,” Garry said.
“Perhaps all of us have been touched at some stage by the work of the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“Our people have been so heavily involved with such a long campaign over this summer right around the state of Victoria, and in New South Wales and indeed Queensland.”
“But I’m sure our people and the community of Victoria will dig deep again for such a wonderful cause.”
Good Friday Appeal Events
The first major event is the Herald Sun/Transurban Run for the Kids event on 29 March – its fifteenth anniversary.T
