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

Individuals and businesses, clubs, schools and country towns can be seen conducting billycart races or ferret and yabby races, holding a gala ball in a grand hotel, running a golf day or shaking collection cans.

The Appeal’s strength lies in the thousands of volunteers who give of their time, expertise and creativity to ensure that events are successful and the rewards are great.

It started in 1931 when a group of sportsmen and journalists from the Herald & Weekly Times' publication The Sporting Globe organised a sporting carnival in aid of charity; the Children’s Hospital was nominated as a recipient of the funds.

In 1942, the Managing Director of 'The Herald' agreed that The Herald and radio station 3DB should promote an annual Appeal on Good Friday. In 1957, Channel 7 joined the Appeal and began the first day-long telethon, which continues each year at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.

Channel 7 Melbourne and The Herald and Weekly Times have remained major supporters of the Good Friday Appeal and in recent years 3AW 693 and Magic 1278 have become official radio supporters.

The Good Friday Appeal is known for the fun, enthusiasm and ingenuity of those involved.

The Appeal is a non-political, non-denominational organisation that exists solely to financially support The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.