Costumes for a cause: Fundraiser dress-up keeps Elijah’s memory alive

The theme held special meaning this year, with staff dressing up to honour veterinary nurse Katherine Byrne, who lost her three-month-old son Elijah to a heart condition in 2018.

Since then, the clinic has held an annual fundraiser for HeartKids, a not-for-profit organisation that supports children and families affected by childhood-onset heart disease.

Ms Byrne said previous themes had included superheroes, Disney characters and animals, but this year's fundraiser was especially personal.

“This year we thought the theme could be E for Elijah. So everyone's dressed up as something starting with ‘E’,” she said.

Although the day can be emotional, Ms Byrne said it was rewarding to give back to an organisation that meant so much to her family.

“It’s nice that we can do something to keep Elijah’s memory alive, and to help raise awareness and money for Heartkids,” she said.

“They’re a not-for-profit, so they rely on funding from these fundraisers to be able to support families.

“They supported me so much in our time when Elijah was alive, and even after his passing, that it’s nice to be able to give back and help other families.”

Ms Byrne said she continued to be touched by the support of her colleagues.

“The support I get here is absolutely amazing,” she said.

“They’re like a family.”

The support extends beyond the clinic, with her children’s kindergarten also hosting a Hero for HeartKids Day each year.

Over the past nine years, Ms Byrne estimates GV Vets has raised over $20,000 for Heartkids.