Ambulance Victoria (AV) is backing a great cause once again, aiming to raise funds for the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Good Friday Appeal.
This year, it's a special Good Friday Appeal for Warragul Paramedic Jacob Every and his wife, Erin, as their two-year-old son, Finley, was announced as one of the Faces of the Appeal.
Erin and two-year-old Finley were featured on the Faces of the Appeal.
Finley was born with myelomeningocele - a severe form of spina bifida. He underwent his first major spinal surgery within the first 48 hours of his life, which reduced the severity of his conditions.
Finley continued to receive treatment from specialist care teams at the RCH and was six weeks old when he was diagnosed with bilateral vocal cord paralysis, requiring a tracheostomy.
He's already undergone four major surgeries, and various MRIs, x-rays and scope studies.
Finley is fed through a nasogastric tube as he awaits yet another surgery to insert a feeding tube into his stomach.
Jacob said Finely is not allowing his condition to suppress his playful personality.
Jacob said 'Fin' can be summed up by his strength, resilience, and cheekiness; not allowing his condition to suppress his playful personality.
"He's the bravest young boy I know and he's getting stronger everyday thanks to the continued treatment from the RCH," he said.
"The level of care provided by doctors, nurses and allied health staff at RCH is second-to-none.
"They've made our family feel welcomed and comforted, and listened closely to our concerns - Finley wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them."
Jacob and Finley are inviting you to join them in the 3AW Climb for the Kids fundraising event this Friday, 1 March.
AV employees have kicked off their fundraising efforts and will join Jacob, Erin and Fin this Friday, 1 March at the 3AW Climb for the Kids event.
AV staff will also be participating in the Good Friday Appeal Run for the Kids on Sunday, 17 March.
Jacob implored all Victorians to open their hearts and consider contributing to the Good Friday Appeal this year.
"Every day we're with Fin we use lifesaving equipment from the RCH, and it's all thanks to causes such as the Good Friday Appeal to help fund its world-class treatment and research," he said.
AV Chief Executive Jane Miller said she's proud of Jacob and his family for sharing their story and encouraged people to support AV's efforts to raise money for the Good Friday Appeal this year.
"The Appeal is close to the hearts of so many at AV and families in our communities," she said.
"The RCH is one of our key partners in delivering the highest quality healthcare to Victorians and we routinely transport children from across the state to this world-leading hospital.
The RCH has a profound impact on families across the state and I'm proud of our people, paramedics, first responders and corporate staff, for supporting the Good Friday Appeal again this year."
To show your support, consider contributing to AV's Good Friday Appeal Online Fundraiser.
All funds raised will help the RCH to provide world-class care to patients and families by funding research, state-of-the-art equipment and technology and family care programs.
To hear more about Finley's story, click here.
