mmg.com.au

Two iconic Benalla and district businesses have been congratulated for their efforts towards The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

Tatong Tavern and the Farmers Arm Hotel have featured in the top 10 hotels and clubs throughout the state that raised substantial funds for the appeal.

Tatong resident Jade Kirk hosted a ‘‘Girls’ Night Out’’ to raise funds, and Tree Willhelme runs a Friday night raffle at the pub and then an auction on Good Friday.

Good Friday Appeal deputy director Emoke Bakacs said it was people such as Jade and Tree who were invaluable to the appeal.

‘‘Both these ambassadors work their community and gain fabulous support from most of the business owners within the district — it is truly a community contribution,” Ms Bakacs said.

‘‘We are very grateful for individuals like Jade and Tree who work tirelessly to support our cause.’’

Money raised from the Good Friday Appeal in regional Victoria this year alone has toppled more than $3.7million — with a total from across the country of more that $15.8million.

‘‘We cannot underestimate the importance of our regional mates,’’ Ms Bakacs said.

‘‘The total raised by the Benalla community for this past Good Friday was $62436.63 — and that does not include Tatong.

‘‘We cannot forget our CFA volunteers who undertake the collections in Benalla each Good Friday; CFA groups are represented in most of the 225 towns on the Regional Tally Board on Good Friday,’’ she said.

‘‘We could not achieve the annual result for the Royal Children’s Hospital without their assistance.’’

This year the Farmers Arms raised more than $27000 while Tatong reached $23000.

The North Eastern Hotel in Wangaratta was in the top three pubs and clubs for fundraising.

The Good Friday Appeal is a unique fundraising activity that brings together people from all parts of the community in a very special way, with the common goal to raise money for Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.