The Piggy Bank Appeal aims to raise over $1 million and is the biggest annual fundraiser for Very Special Kids. The Appeal runs from 3 to 26 September 2010 with businesses, community groups and whole towns getting together to organise activities which raise money for this unique Victorian organisation.
This year is an exciting year for Very Special Kids as we celebrate a major milestone, 25 years supporting families caring for children with life-threatening illnesses.
Piggy Bank Appeal activities are often centred around a visit from one of the five giant (700kg) piggy banks, Penelope, Percy, Princess, Patrick and George. Many wonderful events which include BBQs and fundraisers have been organized by Piggy Bank Appeal supporters in suburbs and towns across Melbourne and regional Victoria to coincide with the ‘Piggy Trails’.
We need to raise more than $1 million from the 2010 Piggy Bank Appeal so Very Special Kids can continue to support more than 850 Victorian families caring for a child with a life-threatening illness.
The first Piggy Bank Appeal was held in 1998 and since then it has gone from strength to strength and each year it is one of the most fun and exciting fundraising appeals in Victoria.
The Burnet family, Richard, Danielle, Sebastian (3) and Charlie (18 months), are the ‘Family Face’ of the 2010 Piggy Bank Appeal.
“While we are very protective of the boys, we feel very comfortable leaving them at Very Special Kids House. The opportunity to have a short respite break is very important to us. You can help ensure Very Special Kids is there for other families too by donating to the 2010 Piggy Bank Appeal.”
- Richard and Danielle Burnet
The Burnet family is facing a parent’s worst nightmare. Both their sons, Sebastian, 3, and Charlie, 18 months, have an extremely rare genetic condition called Multiple Sulphatase Deficiency, a form of Leukodystrophy. It means the boys are unlikely to live beyond the age of five.
“We can’t bear to think what life will be without them but you just have to live in the moment and try to create memories every single day,” Richard said.
Piggy Trails
The Piggy Trails are the highlight of the Piggy Bank Appeal. For two weeks in September, a group of wonderful volunteers drive the giant piggy banks throughout Melbourne and Victoria visiting hundreds of towns and suburbs. At each Piggy Trail stop, volunteers collect donations, sell merchandise and distribute information about Very Special Kids. Many different activities and community events are held to coincide with the giant piggy bank’s visit.
The pigs, Princess, George, Penelope, Patrick and Percy make their way through Melbourne and then Regional Victoria throughout September.
To make a donation or for more information about the 2010 Piggy Bank Appeal go to vsk.org.au
About Very Special Kids
Very Special Kids is a unique organisation that supports families throughout their experience of caring for children with life-threatening illnesses, from diagnosis through to recovery or bereavement. Such illnesses include a range of neuro-degenerative, genetic and rare conditions, muscular dystrophy and cancer. Sadly, many of these children will not reach adulthood.
Very Special Kids provides practical and emotional support for the child, the parents and the siblings through a team of professional staff and a network of trained volunteers. Services include:
• care at Very Special Kids House, Victoria’s first and only children’s hospice, providing planned and emergency respite and end-of-life care;
• counselling and emotional support;
• trained family support volunteers;
• hospital visiting;
• sibling support programs and family activities; and
• a bereavement support program
It costs more than $4 million a year to run Very Special Kids and $1.3 million to operate Very Special Kids House. More than 75% of Very Special Kids’ annual operating cost comes from fundraising, community events and other activities.
Currently, Very Special Kids supports more than 850 families across Victoria. Very Special Kids relies heavily on the generosity of the community to fund its services which are provided free of charge to families from its main office in Malvern and six offices located in regional and rural Victoria.
To find out how to donate or for more information about Very Special Kids visit vsk.org.au or call 1800 888 875.