The record tally of $18,043,251 will help the Royal Children’s Hospital care for sick children and their families.

The Bendigo branch of the Uncle Bobs Club raised $70,230.50, with a record 120 volunteers out rattling tins.

Branch president Carol Maher said it was a fantastic result.

“We can’t thank the community enough, nor the team that got behind us,” she said.

That team involved a number of organisations which Ms Maher said had been vital in efforts to help sick kids.

Across Victoria rural and regional Appeal collectors raised $3,807,944, while CFA tin rattlers amassed $1,677,628.

Good Friday Appeal director Anne Randall said organisers were over the moon with the final result.

“The total is truly overwhelming and that is thanks to the dedicated communities across Victoria and beyond, who have all come together to help us reach this phenomenal result,” Ms Randall said.

Related: As it happened – Good Friday Appeal well under way in Bendigo

“Importantly, we would like to acknowledge those area managers in the regional areas, as well as the people within those communities, for your incredible generosity.”

Other key regional Victorian areas included:

As well as Good Friday’s flagship all-day telethon, tin rattling and the North Melbourne vs St Kilda AFL clash, many have flocked to support the Appeal in smaller events leading up to the big day.

Katrina Ogden and her family have been auctioning lambs in the lead up to Good Friday since 2013. This year 10 lambs were sold at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange for $500 a head.

“You really don’t realise, until you are down there (at the hospital), how much they do for families,” she said.