The 10-year-old has stepped up her fundraising efforts, two weeks out from the Good Friday Appeal, and the results were really starting to show.

This time, it was a school casual dress day at St Mary’s Primary School with plenty of handmade bookmarks and cards, official appeal friendship bands and heart-shaped lollypops for sale at break-time.

The hearts mean a lot to Rahni. She underwent open heart surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital in December. This is how Rahni knows first-hand how RCH is such a special place.

“RCH is busy. A lot more busy that I thought it would be,” Rahni said. “I’m a little bit excited to see all the support at school.”

Rahni was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect, where one side of her heart was bigger than the other, and she also had a small hole in her heart. It was something she had since birth, but was not picked up by doctors until May last year when as the hole grew, Rahni became became more tired.

Her family was amazed at the fast difference surgery had made in Rahni’s energy levels, improving blood flow in her body.

The fundraising day at school, allowed Rahni a chance to share her story at her school. Fellow pupils were surprised to see pictures of Rahni in a wheelchair, but she explained how at times, she had been too tired to walk.

Rahni has already raised about $3000 for the appeal and was keen to see how much more she could raise by Good Friday.

Rahni’s mum Rosie and dad Pete had long been keenly involved in Good Friday Appeal fundraising efforts about the community.  But they never thought they would have to experience time at the RCH with their children.

“The hospital was amazing how they cared for her,” Rosie said. “Rahni still has to take it slow. They say it’s about six months to fully recover, but you would hardly know she’s even had it.”

Rahni’s next mission is to have a stall at Fred & Bet’s Cafe in Barkly Street next Saturday, April 8, where 50 cents from each coffee sold will add to Rahni’s campaign.

READ MORE: Rahni returns support for RCH