Good Friday Appeal marks a decade of giving at MCEC

The Good Friday Appeal and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) teamed up for the tenth year, to support The Royal Children’s Hospital in its vital work to provide life-saving care for kids.

This year, the appeal raised over $23 million, which will support The Royal Children’s Hospital ground-breaking research and family care programs and will help fund state-of-the art equipment and technology.

Almost 95,000 people visited MCEC on the day in support of this important event on Victoria’s calendar.

MCEC Chief Executive, Natalie O’Brien AM, said the Good Friday Appeal is dear to the hearts of Victorians.

“This day demonstrates the community’s support for the wonderful work of The Royal Children’s Hospital. MCEC is so proud to play a role in making the Kids Day Out a day of fun, optimism and celebration,” she said. “Each year our team looks forward to creating a fun day for the kids and contributing to the success of the Appeal.”

Celebrations for the 10-year partnership with Good Friday Appeal started at MCEC last month, with a chocolate egg decorating masterclass for 10 lucky ambassadors and their families. MCEC’s award-winning Pastry Chef Alessandro Bartesaghi hosted the class, marking the milestone with lots of fun and chocolate.

“This year is an important milestone for our partnership and what better way to celebrate it than to invite special Ambassadors into our kitchen for a morning of fun. We wanted to provide an opportunity for those who otherwise may not be able to participate in Easter festivities. Seeing the joy on the kids' faces as they decorated their giant eggs was truly heart-warming,” Alessandro said.

On Good Friday, the fun continued. The interactive Ice Cream-o-Rama served 900 house-made ice creams for visitors and sold nearly 300 milestone cupcakes, all raising funds for the Appeal.

Rebecca Cowan, Executive Director of the Good Friday Appeal thanked MCEC for their decade of support.

"We are incredibly grateful to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for the support, professionalism and expertise they have provided over the past 10 years in support of the Good Friday Appeal. This year has been no different as we say thanks for a decade of support, donating countless hours and millions of dollars in waived venue hire, technology, resources and catering.

Their dedication and commitment is outstanding and it ensures that each year we are able to keep our costs to a minimum whilst creating the greatest impact possible for sick kids and their families who receive life-saving care at The Royal Children's Hospital."

Watch highlights from MCEC's egg decorating masterclass here.