An annual fundraising appeal for Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital has raised a record $23 million (US$15.3 million) as Victorians dug deep for the cause.
It is the most ever raised in the event’s almost 100-year history.
An all-day telethon broadcast live across Victoria on Good Friday helped draw in donations, including more than $4 million (US$2.67 million) from rural and regional communities.
Fundraising activities included a sheep shearathon in Corowa, a family fun day in Inverleigh and a country music show in Traralgon.
On behalf of the federal government, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed $6 million (US$4 million) to the cause over the next three years, while the Victorian government committed an additional $1 million (US$0.67 million)….