WHILE their kids happily celebrate Easter with all its chocolate trimmings, for cousins Laura Devereux and BJ Madex, Good Friday and its Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal has a much greater significance.

Turning five next month, Laura’s daughter, Skylar, began suffering seizures not long after she was born.

After suffering five seizures between January 3 and February 6, Skylar was referred to a RCH neurologist.

With initial fears that the then nine-month-old suffered from a form of epilepsy, tests including ECG, EEG and MRI were carried out - all which came back clear.

Despite a short period without any seizures and her first birthday passing with a happy, smiling, walking and talking Skylar, her condition persisted – and so did her doctors.

After 1405 days of ongoing investigations, including a five-day EEG in November, last year, doctors determined Skylar did, in fact, have a form of epilepsy – a huge relief for parents Laura and Conan.

“The doctors were persistent, they never gave up and last year, she was fitted with a portable EEG monitor for five days, which was connected to a Bluetooth sensor,” Laura said.

“It picked up a spiking in activity when she was having a seizure and (Royal Children’s Hospital doctors) were able to see what was going on.

“The seizures she has area called absence seizures, so we don’t always know when she’s having them, but since the diagnosis, with new medication, we haven’t noticed any … it’s really changed things.”

A typically inquisitive (“but why?”) and active two-and-a-half year-old, Levi Carlin and brother Luca’s 13-week early entry into the world was a nerve-wracking time for mum BJ and dad Kyle Carlin.

While baby Luca showed no lasting ill-effects from his early arrival, little Levi met the team at the Royal Children’s Hospital when he was just three months old, undergoing three brain surgeries in one short month.

Just 100 days after their birth, as they were preparing to come home to Casterton for the first time, the family’s paediatrician raised concerns about Levi’s condition and a series of tests revealed the presence of Hydrocephalus - fluid on the brain, causing swelling and pressure.

Always the best at what they do, RCH doctors place a shunt in Levi’s brain which, while a permanent measure, will grow with him and alleviate the effects of his condition.

“(Both boys) went back for their growth checks … they’re doing so well, both above average for their age,” BJ said.

In the lead-up to this Friday’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, both mums are once again encouraging the district to dig deep and ‘Give that they may grow’.

In both 2021 and 2022, Casterton’s Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal committee was floored by the local response to the cause, when record-breaking contributions were recorded in both years.

After breaking previous records by around $10,000 in 2021, the community upped the ante again last year, raising more than $27,000.

The appeal’s Casterton committee is already overwhelmed this year, by the community’s generosity, with the annual Easter raffle going great guns and a dedicated fashion parade fundraiser, hosted by Sports & All and the Albion Hotel, already tipping $3500 into the kitty.

Sport & All proprietor, Vikki O’Brien said the store would continue its donations to the appeal right up until Good Friday, with in-store promotions.

“There is still time to contribute as, this week there is a rack of clothing marked down, that every dollar spent will go towards the Good Friday Appeal,” she said.

“We are also selling Tote shopping bags for $10, with the money raised also going towards the appeal.”

Mrs O’Brien said the fashion parade night was a great event, which would be a permanent fixture on future calendars.

“The night was full of laughs, fabulous fashion, lots of giveaways, amazing food and great company, thanks to everyone that supported the night,” she said.

“ It will now become an annual event, so if you missed tickets this year, make sure you get in early next year!”

The annual Good Friday Appeal door-knock kicks-off at 9am at Island Park this Friday and the appeal committee encouraged anyone with some free time to head down and join in the day.

“Our volunteer door knockers will meet at the Casterton Sandford social clubrooms at Island Park and we’ll register everyone and hand out collection tins,” president Barbara McDonald said.

“After the collection is done, volunteers are invited to join us for refreshments.”

And as always, the challenges are coming in thick and fast for the Casterton Central team, hosting the annual Good Friday Family Fun Day at the Russell Street premises.

Residents are being called on to pledge donations in return for staff completing challenges – the crazier the better – and everyone is invited to head to the café for a huge day of raffles, auctions and kids activities.

This year’s auction items include the custom Chrissy Made cake, by Casterton’s own Chris Gorman and gift packs and items donated by local businesses.