General News
14 April, 2022
Horsham family’s Good Friday Appeal
A Horsham family does not know where they would be today without the support of the Good Friday Appeal.
THREE year ago, Horsham resident Fletcher Dandy was in the Royal Children’s Hospital in an induced coma but now he is able to enjoy his Easter school holidays with his family.
In 2019, Fletcher was taken to the hospital for Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome.
Fletcher’s mum, Samara Dandy, said the Good Friday Appeal was something that was very special to her family.
“The money they have raised to make the facilities what they are today from the Good Friday Appeal is incredible,” she said.
“We have always donated every year but since Fletcher, it means so much more to us now.”
Fletcher was in the hospital for 12 days before he was placed in ICU, was put into a five-day care induced coma, and spent the next three months in the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Read more: Bushfire safety shelter funding boost for Laharum
Ms Dandy, said the family continued to use the services and assistance provided by staff at the hospital.
“If something happens to Fletcher we can still call them up and even our doctors in Horsham call them if they need anything,” she said.
“They are still supporting us; once you are part of the Royal Children’s Hospital family because it truly is a family, you always will be.
“I don’t know what we would do if we didn’t have that hospital.”
Ms Dandy said three generations of her family had been patients at the hospital.
“My dad was admitted when he was 11-years-old and had to have half his lung removed, which was the first time the hospital had used that procedure,” she said.
“His family was from Nhill and he had just lost his mother so he only had an uncle that would come visit him in the hospital as his dad had to stay home to work.
“My brother was also a patient in the hospital after a motorbike accident when he was in year eight at school.
“He nearly lost his leg but they did another procedure for the first time, which was a skin graft.”
Ms Dandy said Fletcher was the first patient who was prescribed a new drug for his condition that was successful without side effects of brain damage.
“That’s three generations that may not be here today without the world-class facilities at the hospital,” she said.
Ms Dandy said both her dad and brother were in the old hospital buildings before they were upgraded.
“Compared to what we were provided with to my dad and brother; there are councillors, psychologists, financial assistance, the chapel, and places to escape like the yoga studio,” she said.
“All these facilities and support are provided through what people give to the appeal.”
In Horsham, more than $981,120.07 has been raised for the appeal since fundraising began in 1973, and raised $24,009.43 last year.
The Warracknabeal community also jumped in on the efforts to raise money for the appeal with an Easter egg hunt at the Warracknabeal Racecourse.
Warracknabeal resident Tennille Jonasson organised the event that ran on April 2, which was in the making for two years.
“I have wanted to do an Easter egg hunt for years, we started planning one two years ago but then COVID appeared and stopped everything,” she said.
All profits from the egg hunt were donated to the Good Friday Appeal.
Read more: Yarriambiack rental crisis nearly solved
Ms Jonasson said that the appeal has earned a special place in her heart after her nephew spent his first birthday there, having been admitted for two months.
“Every time I watch the appeal on TV I cry, it breaks my heart seeing the sick kids,” she said.
“I’ve loved it ever since I was a child, it’s my favourite part of Easter.”
The Good Friday Appeal has provided over $399M to The Royal Children’s Hospital since it began.
Good Friday Appeal executive director Rebecca Cowan said the appeal was “beyond grateful” for the generosity of all Victorian communities and beyond who have donated.
“Thank you to everyone who has come together once again to support The Royal Children’s Hospital to remain a world-class facility helping sick Australian children and families,” she said.
The Appeal will take place on Friday 15 April and donations can be made online at goodfridayappeal.com.au.