It's been a tough, dry year for farmers, but that hasn't stopped a central Victorian family again raising funds that will help the Royal Children's Hospital continue its life-saving work.
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Wanalta's Katrina and Billy Ogden sold 10 lambs for $400 each at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange on Monday, with the proceeds to go to the hospital that saved their son's life.
He's now a healthy boy just shy of turning seven, but when Heath Ogden was 15 months old he contracted pneumonia.
He was admitted to Bendigo Health, but had to be transferred to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne for an operation to drain the fluid off his lung.
Katrina - who, with Heath, had to spend three weeks away from home during her son's illness - still finds the memory of the experience emotional.
But the hospital and its staff were "fantastic", she said, and while the family were lucky to avoid any repeat visits, the Royal Children's Hospital would be the place she would turn if any of her children fell ill again.
"It's not that hard for us to try and fatten some lambs... and put some money back into the hospital that saved our son's life," Katrina said.
Read more: An un-ewe-sual donation
Katrina thanked the buyers who purchased the lambs and Elders, their livestock agent.
Now in its sixth year, the fundraising sale remained well-supported by buyers, she said, because most families would have had or known someone who had an experience at the hospital.
The family holds the sale each year ahead of the Easter weekend and the hospital's Good Friday Appeal, which raises funds for research, treatment and care, education, and technology and equipment.
Last year, more than 50,000 children were admitted to the hospital and more than 86,000 treated in emergency, with another 338,000 treated in the hospital's specialist clinics.
The Ogdens also hold a shearing day fundraiser for the Royal Children's Hospital each year with farmer Bill Barlow.
With the lamb sale only just over, they are already on their way to planning the July event.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
