Piggy Bank Appeal
Help fill our piggy banks to support children with a life-limiting condition and their families
Very Special Kids’ five giant piggy banks – Pete, Princess, Patrick, Penelope and Pepi – are iconic. For over two decades they have travelled around Victoria helping us raise funds for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. With restrictions in place, our piggy banks are safely in their pens, but hope to be out and about soon.
That doesn’t mean you can’t get involved! This year is the 24th annual Piggy Bank Appeal and we need your support more than ever. Help us fill our piggy banks!
Meet the Rawson family
Everley Rawson was diagnosed with Kabuki syndrome at just ten months old. It’s a rare multisystem disorder requiring specialised care and numerous surgeries and interventions. Initially, mum Jo and dad Rick were told little Everley may not walk or talk.
She has confounded those expectations. “I had tears,” said Jo, when Everley took her first steps aided by a walking frame – but with parents who need to work, older sister Mila at primary school and little brother Arlo in day care, the pressures on the family are immense.
That’s why the Rawson family treasures the support of Very Special Kids.
“It’s organisations like Very Special Kids that have helped us enormously,” says Rick. “You sort of think to yourself, where we would be had these guys not been involved?”
Especially valued is the help provided by two of our wonderful family support volunteers, Simone and Coral. Mila enjoys going on outings with Simone, who is “loved and adored” according to Jo, while Coral visits the Rawson home weekly to look after young Arlo and give his mum a much-needed break.
Jo also welcomes the opportunity to mix with other families in similar situations at the coffee mornings, while Mila loves meeting and playing with other kids in the Sibling Program.
“Please donate. It’s an amazing cause. It’s incredible to know that there are people out there are giving up their time with their family to come and spend time with our family. That’s pretty special,” said Jo.
Want to help? Click here to donate or see how you can get involved below
