This year’s Good Friday Appeal raised a staggering $16,846,396.09 for The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

As fundraising activities took place across Australia, it was also a special day for those who were at the hospital.

“Once again we are overwhelmed by the extraordinary generosity of the Victorian community,” said CEO Professor Christine Kilpatrick.

“The money the appeal raises makes the difference between being a good children’s hospital and a great children’s hospital,” she said.

Media, celebrity guests and other well-known personalities came to the hospital to lend their support to the appeal and meet patients, families and staff.

On Good Friday, patients woke up with Channel 7’s Sunrise and from 9.00am until 5.00pm Nick McCallum and Jennifer Keyte interviewed patients and their families about their time at RCH to support the fundraising efforts of the appeal.

Special guests, including the Easter Bunny, Channel 7 celebrities and furry creatures visited patients in their bedrooms and on wards.

Players from AFL teams North Melbourne, Richmond, Carlton, St Kilda and Hawthorn football clubs and the Melbourne Vixens visited the hospital to spend time with children and their families too.

Staff volunteered their time to help out on the day by touring guests through the wards and giving out gifts and giveaways generously donated for the children in hospital on the day.

Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved.