Businesses set to raise $100,000 for Victoria’s only children’s hospice

This November, giant piggy banks will hit the road in an effort to raise $100,000 for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families. 

The initiative will be supported by Commonwealth Bank and ALH Hotels, who are running activations in their branches and venues to encourage the Victorian community to support local families in need.  

Very Special Kids Chief Executive Officer Michael Wasley says, “Thanks to the generosity of our partners and their extended community, Very Special Kids can continue to improve the quality of life and death of the children in our care, while helping families build positive, lasting memories together.” 

Commonwealth Bank has been a key partner of Very Special Kids' Piggy Bank Appeal for 25 years and contributed more than $3.3 million towards its essential services. Victorian Commonwealth Bank branches will run fundraising activities, accept donations and sell cute piggy banks – the perfect Christmas stocking filler – until Saturday 30 November.  

To add a very special touch, Very Special Kids' much-loved giant piggy banks are hitting the road for the first time since COVID-19. They will visit community events at regional Commonwealth Bank branches in Corowa, Rosebud, Wodonga and Shepparton from Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 November. Since 1998, the pigs have visited 66 towns and travelled an estimated 158,196km. 

Another long-term partner of the charity, ALH Hotels, will donate $1 to Very Special Kids from every garlic bread they sell during the month of November. ALH Hotels have supported Very Special Kids for 27 years, donating more than $6 million. 

On Thursday 28 November Very Special Kids' volunteers will hit the streets of Melbourne CBD, including Bourke St Mall, to collect coins for the Piggy Bank Appeal. 

Very Special Kids supports approximately 700 families across the state. As Victoria's only children's hospice, it provides 24-hour medically supported respite, end-of-life and after death care to children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and tailored support for their families.  

Parents Alanna and Matthew, who live in Tatura, understand first-hand the impact of this holistic care. Their son Lachlan, aged 5, has been supported by Very Special Kids since 2022. Lachan has Pelizaeus Merzbacher Disease (PMD), a rare degenerative condition that attacks the central nervous system and impacts his mobility and speech development.  

"It's phenomenal really, Very Special Kids has helped us when we really need it and taken the pressure off. We know Lachie is safe and in good hands at the hospice, and it gives us the break we really need." 

Since 1998, the Piggy Bank Appeal has raised more than $22 million to support thousands of Victorian families. 

Visit your nearest Commonwealth Bank branch or select ALH Hotels venues to support Very Special Kids before Saturday 30 November.  

Donate directly to the Piggy Bank Appeal at www.piggybankappeal.org.au