Good Friday Appeal record tops $18m

Seven’s Good Friday Appeal has raised a record $18,043,251 for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

The midnight tally topped 2017’s $17,605,622.

Seven talent and staff were out in force yesterday for the 61st broadcast at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Stars from Home and Away, Sunrise, House Rules, Seven News and more were on hand to take donations and meet fans.

John Deeks, a Seven veteran of 41 years, has attended 45 Good Friday Appeals, 41 with Seven, and 4 at 3DB.

“We’ve gone from the loading dock at the Herald Sun in Flinders Lane to Dorcas Street to a very sleek organisation here at the Convention & Exhibition Centre,” he told TV Tonight.

Melissa Doyle, straight off a plane from London for Sunday Night was also on duty. Doyle has also been at more telethons than she cares to remember.

“I have no idea. I remember being in the old hospital, so I have to think I’ve been at Seven for 23 years. I love it, wouldn’t miss it.”

.@NickMcCallum7 honours a legend of @Channel7 Melbourne. Gordon Bennett has been involved with the @RCHMelbourne @GoodFriAppeal for the past 61 years. #GoodFridayAppeal #7News pic.twitter.com/CWarH3RSFD

— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) March 30, 2018