This November, giant pink piggy banks have hit the road for the first time since COVID-19 in an effort to raise $100,000 for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families.
Since 1998, the giant pigs have visited 66 towns and travelled an estimated 158,196km. During the tour, they will visit community events at Commonwealth Bank branches in Corowa, Rosebud, Wodonga and Shepparton from Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 November.
The local branches are decorated tip-to-toe in pink and will run exciting fundraising activities, sell cute piggy merchandise and encourage the community to support local families in need.
Very Special Kids Chief Executive Officer Michael Wasley told The Free Press: “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.”
Corowa Commonwealth Bank branch manager Nicky Sangwell said the team at CommBank Corowa branch have a long-standing history of raising funds for Very Special Kids.
“We’re excited to welcome back the piggy trailer again this year,” Nicky said.
“We have witnessed over many years the support Very Special Kids provide families and children at a time of need and we’re proud to continue to support as part of our state-wide partnership."
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 children's palliative care services. 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.
Alanna shares, "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."
Visit your nearest Commonwealth Bank branch to pick up your very own piggy bank – the perfect stocking filler this Christmas.
Corowa will also be running a BBQ and other fun activations throughout the day, corner Sanger and Isabel Streets, Corowa Wednesday, November 27.