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The impact of community giving
April 2, 2025
In 2025, members of our community are choosing to wear their hearts on their sleeves, finding creative ways to fundraise for Very Special Kids and improve the quality of life of children and young people with life-limiting conditions.
Below are a few wonderful examples of how a fun activity can transform into a fundraising opportunity:
A very special chop
Rick Hemphill decided to take on his own personal challenge to fundraise for Very Special Kids, parting ways with his long locks!
With the generosity of his fellow colleagues behind him, the SW Accountants and Advisors Partner shared what motivated him to fundraise and raise close to $16,000:
I wanted to do something meaningful for families facing unimaginable challenges. My family’s own visits to The Royal Children’s Hospital opened my eyes to just how vital organisations like Very Special Kids are in providing care and support.
If shaving my head helps raise awareness and funds for these families, then it’s absolutely worth it.
If you are considering a big haircut in your future, perhaps consider following in Rick’s footsteps and setting up your own fundraiser.
Ride and drive day
When Heath and his friends organised a casual motorbike ride in northeast Victoria, they had no idea it would turn into an annual event that would raise more than $155,000 for Very Special Kids over the next 4 years.
The community Ride and Drive Day sees more than 80 cars and bikes travelling from Jerusalem Creek, Eildon, to lunch at the Bonnie Doon pub. Afterwards, the convoy continues for some fun and games at Snobs Creek Hotel before returning to Jerusalem Creek.
You can read more about Heath and his family’s personal connection to Very Special Kids here.
Redstock music festival
Music and community connection can be a powerful way to amplify a cause. Based in Red Hill, Redstock Music Festival offered a day of live music from The Crash Landers, and their supporting acts Tom and Justine.
Very Special Kids’ giant piggy bank, Penelope, marked the entrance of the venue and three of our volunteers enthusiastically engaged with music lovers to raise awareness for Very Special Kids, accepting donations, running the silent auction and selling raffle tickets. Altogether, this exciting day raised close to $16,000.
The Flinders Challenge
Many community groups and corporates like to show their social responsibility by supporting Very Special Kids with annual Golf Day events.
No one knows this better than the Flinders Golf Club who celebrated its 20th year of supporting Very Special Kids with The Flinders Challenge – raising more than $31,000 in 2025. We are deeply honoured by this longstanding relationship and immensely grateful for their continued generosity.
Summer Jam Basketball Festival
Based in St Kilda, this festival is a summertime celebration of Australian basketball culture. It was a slam dunk success, bringing together the best elements of a summer block party – with special guest appearances, DJs and food trucks.
This was the first year Sumer Jam Basketball Festival brought a charity partner onboard. Their two-ball knockout basketball activation raised more than $1,000 for the children and families in our care. We look forward to seeing the event grow in years to come!
Our community of fundraisers create ripples of support for Very Special Kids. Whether donations are big or small, each fundraiser helps us raise awareness of the very special support we provide to seriously ill kids, and their families, across Victoria.
If you’d like to explore ways you can become a community fundraiser click here.
