Rosie and Peter Cooper have always been involved in leading the Ararat fundraising efforts for the appeal, but got a shock when 10-year-old Rahni was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect.

The condition meant one side of Rahni’s heart was bigger than the other, and she also had a small hole in her heart.

It was something the St Mary’s Primary School pupil has had since birth, but was not picked up by doctors until May last year.

As the hole in her heart grew Rahni began to feel tired and lost much of her daily energy.

Mrs Cooper said her daughter had to be brought home from school four times in five weeks, which is when doctors first suspected a heart condition.

“I could always feel her heart beating through her chest and I thought it was beautiful, but it was a sign of the heart problems,” she said.

“She was just getting worse over time, a lot more tired and did not want to do anything.”

Rahni said she remembered not having any energy.

“I just wanted to sit down and watch TV, and sleep,” she said.

Since the surgery, however, she has put on 10 kilograms and is once again full of life.

Back at home she is able to play with her two sisters, Sophie and Lexi, without tiredness overcoming her.

She has also thrown herself into helping her parents raise money for the Good Friday Appeal.

Already the family has sold more than 500 cards on Ararat Buy Swap and Sell, while their Go Fund Me page has reached $1800.

Rahni has a number of events planned as well. She will sell lollipops at St Mary’s on March 30, and open a stall outside Fred & Bet’s cafe on Barkly Street on April 8. There will also be a stall at the Jailhouse Rock festival at the weekend.

Mrs Cooper said despite her family’ years of fundraising for the appeal, she had never expected to need the hospital’s services to save the life of her own daughter.