“Without a doubt” 2020 has been the quietest of Geelong Royal Children’s Hospital Auxiliary’s 44 years helping sick kids, according to president Jan Crockart.
“We’ve had nothing on all year,” she said.
Last year the auxiliary raised $56,000 through several market stalls and its annual 200-person high tea, which Jan described as a “pretty normal” amount for the group.
“Of course we had to cancel all those things this year, which is a real pity because it’s the 150th anniversary for hospital,” she said.
“It was going to be a really big year.”
COVID-19 restrictions brought most of the auxiliary’s fundraising to a halt and its mostly older membership had to be extra cautious during the pandemic.
“I’m one the newer ones,” said Jan, who has been with the group for 11 years.
But the members are determined to make the most of the remainder of 2020, channelling their Christmas spirit into a new pop-up shop in Belmont.
The shop opened on Monday and sells babywear, scarves, Christmas decorations, toys, homewares, rugs and more in support of Royal Children’s Hospital.
A few dozen shoppers had walked in during the shop’s first two hours on Monday morning, with some even donating items such as wool, knitwear and tea towels for the cause.
Jan was thrilled to reunite with other members at the shop, which will remain open at Belmont Arcade until December 11.
“It feels really good,” she said.
“The majority of our members, we haven’t seen them since March.”
