THE Hamilton community helped raise $42,985 for the Good Friday Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal this year, smashing last year’s total of $28,115 by over 50 per cent.

Friday’s Bake Sale at The Rox was reported as “the biggest yet” and managed to raise $6086.70 from selling raffle tickets, coffee, and baked goods.

Macarthur and District also showed itself an active and generous fundraising community.

With a population of roughly 900 in the area, according to the 2016 census, the locality that includes Byaduk, Byaduk North and Wallacedale still managed to raise a whopping $35,247 at this year’s annual fundraiser.

Sandra Addinsall, in her 25th year coordinating the area’s appeal, was thrilled with the total, especially with the response to her jars of yo-yo biscuits at the Macarthur Recreation Reserve community dinner.

“We auctioned (them) off on the Friday night,” she said.

“(It was) a very successful collection which was fantastic and, same as always, we just do it for the kids.”

The sentiment was echoed by Jo Moore, in her 17th year of volunteering, and spoke of meeting children as they went around collecting.

“As you talk to families and hear their stories of having been involved in the Royal Children's Hospital … it's pretty amazing,” she said.