THIS year marks the 37^th year Arthur Johnson has dedicated his Good Friday to collecting donations for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

The 65-year-old began volunteering each year for the Uncle Bobs Club simply because it was a good cause and he wanted to help kids ill in hospital.

For Natalie Carter, it was a personal experience that led her to become a collector.

Her brother Lachlan had leukaemia as a child, so she began tin-rattling for the appeal about six years ago.

Bob and Dawn Colbourne are posted outside the Y Men’s Club book fair this year.

Mrs Colbourne said there were still some very ill local children who had to travel to the Royal Children’s Hospital to be treated.

Mr Colbourne added about 500 children from the Bendigo region were admitted to the hospital each year.