Ararat's Good Friday Appeal is set to reach a significant milestone this Easter, despite fundraising efforts being partially restricted due to COVID-19.
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Approaching its 52nd year, the Ararat Good Friday Appeal is closing in on raising $1 million for the Royal Children's Hospital.
The Ararat Fire Brigade's appeal has been co-ordinated since brigade stalwart Jim Jackson started it in 1970.
Mr Jackson launched the town's appeal after his daughter, Janine, had received lifesaving heart surgery at the Royal Children's Hospital. He needed no more convincing that the appeal was a cause worth supporting.
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The appeal raised $764.08 in 1970. In Mr Jackson's 37 years as an area manager, a total of $743,869 was collected.
Mr Jackson passed away in 2015, but Ararat Fire Brigade has continued to lead the town's efforts in supporting the appeal.
The appeal forges on during COVID-19
Ararat Fire Brigade captain Daniel Ramsdell said this year's fundraising efforts would be somewhat limited due to COVID-19.
"This year we can't hold it at the fire station because of the pandemic. We'll hold it at the trotting track instead, but hopefully next year we'll be back at the fire station," he said.
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"We'll still do traffic light collections on Thursday and Friday and we will also be shaking the tin in the main street but not doing actual door-knock collections."
Additionally, $2 raffle tickets are presently being sold in several locations around town, allowing people to enter the draw for four different hampers.
In 2020 the brigade was limited to conducting a virtual tin shake due to COVID-19.
Despite the limitations on how they could fundraise and the financial hardships many were experiencing due to the pandemic, $18,819.55 was still raised.
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In 2019 Ararat raised more than $43,000 for the appeal as it celebrated its 50th year of fundraising for the Royal Children's Hospital.
The Ararat Hotel alone raised $10,451. Other groups such as Ararat RSL, Chalambar Golf Club, VICSES Ararat Unit, and Ararat Woolworths have also been among the main contributors to the appeal in recent years.
Just $3,984.49 is needed to help the township pass the $1 million milestone.
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