By BRIDGET COOK
CRANBOURNE had a very special visitor last week to help raise money for families of children with a life-threatening condition.
Cranbourne Commonwealth Bank was visited by Pepi, a giant piggy bank, on Friday as part of their Very Special Kids fund-raiser.
The Lions Club of Cranbourne ran a barbecue outside the bank and the branch sold merchandise throughout the week to raise money for the organisation, which provides counselling and support services to families caring for a child diagnosed with a life-threatening condition.
About $2800 was raised on the day and some City of Casey councillors donated a total of $1600 of their ward funds to the cause at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Commonwealth Bank Cranbourne branch manager Ravi Kohli thanked everyone who supported the cause.
“We have run this special fund-raiser for two years now and we want to keep building on it,” he said.
Councillor Geoff Ablett congratulated the bank and the Lions Club for organising the fund-raiser.
“This is more important than any AFL grand final because this is what life is about, trying to give kids hope to survive who are going through life-threatening times,” he said.
“I lost one of my sons four years ago so I know what grief is all about.
“I will certainly be advocating at council that we give to this special cause.
“Ravi Kohli and the team from the Commonwealth Bank in Cranbourne, who assist every year, deserve the biggest pat on the back of all time, and as a councillor it makes me feel so proud that we have such great, giving volunteers.”
To donate to Very Special Kids visit www.vsk.org.au
