Volunteers returning to raise funds for Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital have been helped along with $4 million worth of lifelines thrown to the Good Friday Appeal.
The federal government has contributed $2 million in a first-ever donation to the appeal, matching a $2 million commitment from the state government.
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The Victorian government again donated to the hospital, topping up generous donations which last year saw more than $17 million raised, slightly down on the record $18 million in 2020.
With $2.5 million from the state last year and $8 million the year before, the taxpayer dollars have ensured the hospital's charitable endeavours will continue.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited volunteers in Melbourne on Friday afternoon.
"Good on you Dan and on this one mate, we're all in this together because this is a fantastic appeal which is helping an institution in the Royal Children's," he said.
"You will get over $400 million this year as a result of the generosity and big hearts of Victorians."
The appeal is critically important for the smallest people not only in Victoria but nationally and internationally, Premier Daniel Andrews said on Friday.
"We don't just do good paediatric health in Victoria we do the very, very best," he said.
This year the total will tip over $400 million raised over 91 years.
The extra funds will help the appeal which still faces some COVID-related impacts.
The last three years have been like no others, Mr Andrews said.
"To have come close to raising a relatively normal amount of money is testament to just how special people know the role of the Children's Hospital is," he said.
Good Friday Appeal chairwoman Penny Fowler was expecting 50,000 people at the annual Kids Day Out fundraiser, returning for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 100,000 volunteers across the state have signed up to support the appeal, after the two-year pandemic drastically reduced their ability to fundraise.
"It's all about community, grassroots and everyone just digging in and giving us a little bit," Ms Fowler said.
Telehealth appointments will be supported through funds raised in this year's appeal as well as the Children's Cancer Centre which last year had 1400 patients.
Research, equipment and support for families are also funded through the appeal.
