Safeway Royal Children's Hospital fundraiser co-ordinator Jackie Kennett with Horsham's Rory Johnston, 4. Picture: SAMANTHA CAMARRI
Safeway in Horsham aims to raise more money for the Royal Children's Hospital than any other store in Victoria.
Customer service manager Annette Eldridge said the store's target was $25,000 but they had already reached that goal.
"We have about two weeks of fundraising left so we are hoping to raise as much as we can," she said.
She said the store had been leading the fundraiser since its beginning last year, but some city stores were close on their heels.
"We want a country store to be the best for a change," she said.
"There are more opportunities for city stores to raise larger amounts, but we want Horsham to be number one."
The store has been fundraising through garage sales, trivia nights, sausage sizzles, cake stalls and raffles.
"We will have a sausage sizzle on the long weekend in March, which will be our last fundraiser," Mrs Eldridge said.
She said the store had been participating in the fundraiser for the past few years.
"Last year we only raised $5000, so we decided we would put in a decent effort this time," she said.
She said people could help Safeway reach its goal by making a donation in the store.
"We want everyone to get behind us and put Horsham on the map," she said.
"I'm sure there are a lot of people around who have needed the Royal Children's Hospital at times.
"It is something that people hope they never need but it is nice to know it's there."
Safeway shopper Melissa Johnston of Horsham has first-hand knowledge of the hospital's importance.
Her son Rory, 4, was diagnosed with craniosynostosis, premature fusion of the skull, when he was eight months old.
Mrs Johnston said she could not count how many times Rory had been to the hospital.
When Rory was 11 months old he had surgery on his skull.
"If we didn't have surgery, he would be a disabled child," Mrs Johnston said.
"Before the surgery, he couldn't wave or clap his hands, and he started to wave about three days after it."
She said the support and services provided by the Royal Children's Hospital were 'absolutely fantastic'.
She said the staff at Woolworths were doing exceptionally well in their fundraiser.
"I am all for anything to do with the Royal Children's Hospital, it is fantastic," she said.