Giving back to those to help

Sunbury RCH kids with Good Friday Appeal chair Penny Fowler and executive director Rebecca Cowan, together with Henley’s Tony Blackshaw and Villawood’s Alan Miller, at the Redstone Charity House. (Supplied)

Looking after an unwell child is hard enough as it is – adding the anxiety of a pandemic to the equation has been a nightmare for the families of sick kids.

But it’s the staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) who make their lives easier, working through lockdowns, taking on new protocols and facing nervous patients to keep kids and families safe.

This year’s Good Friday Appeal Charity House Auction, Villawood Properties’ largest philanthropic initiative, is now giving back to those workers – with this year’s Henley Vogue 34 home, situated in the brand-new Redstone community in Sunbury, up for auction.

Families with connections to the RCH Foundation and Rupertswood Football Netball Club in Sunbury gathered together at the home on Sunday, February 27 to show their gratitude to the hospital and its staff.

Kellie Spencer’s son Mitchell has been a regular patient at the RCH since he was just four years old, when he was diagnosed with a bone cyst in his upper arm.

He loves playing football, and even though his diagnosis could have been a barrier, the RCH has been there every step of the way to monitor the issue to keep him healthy and allow him to play.

“The Royal Children’s is a real eye-opener when you see how sick its kids are,” Ms Spencer said.

“But it’s brilliant and you get all the support you need.”

Each year, the auction raises funds for the hospital with land donated by Villawood and a home by Henley, with every dollar raised donated to help the hospital’s sick kids.

Northern suburbs residents are being encouraged to head to Sunbury on Friday, April 15 for this year’s Goof Friday Appeal auction.

Details: gfacharityhouse.com.au

Elsie Lange