Mr Smith has been an active part of the annual Good Friday Appeal for more than four decades and the co-ordinator of Stawell's appeal for almost as long.

His involvement stems from two of his children and a grandchild having been treated at the hospital.

One of Mr Smith's daughters was born deaf and blind and also suffered from a heart problem.

"My second daughter was deaf and blind and she had a fair bit to do with the children's hospital," he said.

"She is disabled now, but she is in one of the family homes and going quite well."

Another of Mr Smith's children had a digestive problem and spent a week at the hospital.

In the mid 1980s complications at birth meant his young infant grandchild was placed in intensive care at the hospital for three weeks.

Mr Smith said he can't help but feel indebted to the hospital for all it has done.

"When somebody does something for me I like to be able to give something back and they certainly did a fair bit for my family," he said.

Since the early 1970s Mr Smith estimates he has helped to raise more than $500,000 for The Royal Children's Hospital.

Mr Smith is part of a committee formed to organise the annual fundraising drive and he arranges the collections in Stawell, Halls Gap and Lake Fyans.

He said the creation of an award for the best annual hotel collection has been a positive move, but the volunteer fundraising drive by the CFA on Good Friday was still when most of the donations were collected.

"That is where most of the money comes from, the hotels bring in a few thousand and the rest is collected around the town," he said.

Mr Smith was made an honourary member of the children's hospital in 1974 and received a distinguished service award a couple of years ago.

He continues to generate awareness about the importance of the appeal and has encouraged the Stawell and district community to continue its support for what is such a great cause.

"Dig deep, it is a worthy cause, it is to help the kids and the children's hospital is a tremendous place," he said.

"Thank you to all of the people who have helped over the years and I hope that support continues."

Last year Stawell and district residents set a new local Good Friday Appeal record by raising more than $30,000 for the first time.

With help from the Stawell Fire Brigade, Mr Smith said this year he hopes to again raise around $30,000.

The Stawell Fire Brigade will be involved in several fundraising activities such as raffles in the lead up to Good Friday as well as tin rattling on the day.

The Good Friday Appeal is the largest fundraiser for The Royal Children's Hospital and this year it will be held on Friday, April 3. Last year a record total of $16,846,396.09 was raised.

The first Good Friday Appeal was held in 1931, since then $274 million has been raised for the benefit of The Royal Children's Hospital.

There are several ways people can donate to this year's Good Friday Appeal.