One of Vision Australia's biggest annual fundraisers just got twice as big.
The Vision Australia Bendigo Easter Egg Hunt, a much loved family event held in conjunction with the Bendigo Easter Festival for the past 15 years, is normally held on Good Friday.
But this year, for the first time, the hunt will extend to a second day, Easter Saturday.
That means there will be 40 Easter egg hunts, each for specific age groups, and more than 178,000 Cadbury chocolate eggs across two days.
Along with Carols by Candlelight, the Bendigo Easter egg hunt is one of the largest fundraisers nationally for Vision Australia.
All proceeds go to the services we offer to support people who are blind or have low vision to live the lives they choose.
A large team of volunteers including the State Emergency Service and Vision Australia staff support the hunt each year.
Vision Australia Loddon Mallee regional business manager Megan McDonald says she's excited to be expanding the hunt to a second day.
"The Vision Australia Easter egg hunt is so popular that in recent years we've sold out of tickets and we've been forced to turn people away," she says.
"This gives everyone a chance to enjoy the Easter egg hunt and support the work we do with the blind and low vision community here in Bendigo and across Australia."
This year, Vision Australia welcomes V/Line as a sponsor of the Easter egg hunt.
The hunt will feature the V/Line Rest Stop, a marquee with priority seating for the aged, people with disabilities and breastfeeding mothers.
"The V/Line Rest Stop will be a great addition to our event. We're incredibly grateful for V/Line's support," Ms McDonald says.
The Vision Australia Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Good Friday, March 30, and Easter Saturday, March 31, with hunts across both days in a range of age groups from toddlers to kids aged 12 and up from 9am to 3pm each day.
Booking is essential. Tickets: $11 per child.
For details and to buy tickets, phone 1800 813 153, go to www.bendigotourism.com, or visit either the Bendigo Visitor Centre in Pall Mall or the Vision Australia office at 20 Bridge Street, Bendigo.