The lines are still open for people to donate to Greyhound Racing Victoria’s contribution to the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
A flood of donations from the greyhound racing community has so far seen more than $28,000 donated (and rising) to the appeal with GRV aiming to pass the $40,000 mark.
The donations came as part of GRV Deputy Board Chair Peita Duncan and GRV General Manager Strategic Communication and Marketing, Louise Martin’s participation in the Neil’s Wheel event on the Melbourne Star hosted by 3AW’s Neil Mitchell.
Peita and Lou, with a support team including Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna, AFL great and GRV racing ambassador Brent “Boomer’’ Harvey and celebrity chef Daniel Wilson from Huxtaburger hit the phones high above Melbourne between 8.30am and 9am last Friday to raise funds.
But the donation page will still be open right up to Good Friday (April 19).
Ms Duncan said the response from greyhound racing participants and clubs from within Victoria as well as interstate was extraordinary.
“Greyhound racing is one big family and not only do we support each other, but also worthy causes such as the RCH; with the monies raised by all involved going to such crucial equipment for the children.”
The first Neil’s Wheel event was held during Neil’s Morning Program last year and successfully raised nearly $30,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital. Following on from that stunning success, Neil once again held a group of celebrities and organisations hostage in the Melbourne Star until they raised $10,000 on Friday morning.
“Peita and I are so proud to be representing the greyhound racing community and all our lovely four-legged friends for this campaign while we raise money for the best children’s hospital in the world,” Ms Martin said.
“We are humbled to see the greyhound racing community dig deep as there is nothing more precious than a child; and nothing sadder than a little one who is unwell.
“We would love for the people that make up Victorian greyhound racing to help us eclipse $40,000.”
Greyhound Racing Victoria was one of 20 organisations and people represented on the wheel including the Essendon and North Melbourne football clubs, Mercedes Benz, Telstra, Transurban and Victoria Racing Club among others.
Greyhound racing clubs, trainers, owners, breeders and GRV staff, Victorian State Ministers and MPs and a host of other supporters combined to donate $28,562 as of Thursday, with donations still coming in.
Money raised will go towards two anaesthetic machines and two patient monitors worth a total of $236,000. This state-of-the-art technology would be a valued acquisition for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
