WIMMERA communities gave generously to this year’s Good Friday Appeal, raising almost $260,000 for Melbourne's Royal Children’s Hospital.
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Regional Victorians donated almost $4 million towards the state’s midnight tally total of $16,846,396.09.
Horsham contributed $58,466, an average of $4.14 a person.
It was the 12th most generous regional community in the state.
Horsham Good Friday Appeal area manager June Clissold said a further $2000 had been donated since midnight on Friday.
“About $34,861 went through the tins on Friday,” she said.
Collections at three of Horsham’s main intersections – the corner of Dimboola and Wawunna Roads, the corner of Wilson and Firebrace Streets and the corner of Baillie and McPherson Streets – accounted for about $10,000.
Tin rattlers from Horsham Fire Brigade, Country Fire Authority District 17 head office and Jung Fire Brigade raised more than $14,000.
Horsham fire-fighter Ray Carman said 11 vehicles rolled through the streets of Horsham from 9am until about noon.
“We were down on last year by about $3000,” he said. “We’re looking at next year starting at 10am – we’re probably rattling our tins while there are a lot of people at church or still sleeping in.”
When he first became involved in the fundraiser more than 20 years ago, it started at 8.30am and involved about four trucks.
“I’d really like to thank the volunteers that go out and help – this doesn’t happen with one or two people,” he said.
A fundraiser inspired by Horsham teen Cory Panozzo raised more than $10,000, while the city’s Good Friday Appeal Easter Egg Hunt raised more than $3370.
“We were absolutely stoked with the response from Horsham people,” Mr Carman said.
“You can’t break records every year.”
Last year Horsham placed among the top 10 fundraisers in the state with more than $67,000.
Appeal fundraising zones incorporating several Wimmera towns were among the highest performing state-wide.
The western district had raised $597,568 by midnight on Friday.
Telangatuk East raised $13,255.
Wycheproof and Warracknabeal were among the most charitable communities in the Goldfields-Mallee fundraising zone, contributing $16,600 and $15,060 respectively.
Good Friday Appeal Wimmera totals:
Ararat ?$26,440
Dimboola ?$5207
Donald? $6826
Edenhope ?$4132
Goroke? $3293
Harrow? $1272
Hopetoun ?$4256
Horsham? $58,466
Jeparit? $1850
Kaniva? $3114
Marnoo ?$11,365
Murtoa? $7080
Natimuk ?$2166
Nhill? $5140
Rainbow ?$3506
Rupanyup ?$4888
St Arnaud? $10,539
Stawell? $30,442
Telangatuk East ?$13,255
Warracknabeal? $15,060
Watchem? $2000
Willaura? $18,853
Woomelang ?$3550
Wycheproof? $16,600
Regional total: ?$259,300