The face of the Good Friday Appeal
With just six weeks left until the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal, a two-year-old named Oliver has the honour of being this year's poster boy.
At home in Montmorency with his brothers, Oliver is just one of the boys.
But for much of his two and a half years, the Royal Children's Hospital has been his second home.
"He's got a lot of reasons not to be happy, but he's very happy so that makes it easier," says his father, Andy.
"If his smile can contribute to the Good Friday Appeal, wonderful."
Oliver's smile is one of the reasons he is the face of this year's Good Friday Appeal.
Born with cerebral palsy, Oliver had surgery at three months to reduce his constant seizures.
He has regular appointments with ten different specialists all contributing to his ongoing development.
"We have a vision of what Oliver will be and we see him as a walking talking little man," says mum Melissa.
It is the first time in the appeal's 84-year history that a child with a physical disability is the face of the appeal, and Oliver's doctors couldn't be happier.
"He's symbolic of the many children that come here, often with multiple issues and the care that they receive from many departments in hospital," said Professor Christine Kilpatrick.
Professor Kerry Graham said many had long thought this day wouldn't happen.
"For the hospital and the community, for this large group of very deserving kids, it's a great step," Professor Graham added.
Since the appeal began $274 million has been raised - and last years record was almost $17 million.
"This year we are again asking the community to give that they may grow," said appeal director Anne Randall.
Channel 7 will have full coverage of the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal on April 3.
TO DONATE TO THE 2015 GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL:
Visit the website: www.goodfridayappeal.com.au
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: #GiveThatTheyMayGrow @GoodFriAppeal
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RCHgoodfridayappeal
News break - 18 February
