with a sister

							                  Spending time
                  with a sister
DON'T forget the siblings.
  That's the message from Very
Special Kids volunteer      Jessica
Mariolis, who wants people to
know how hard it is for the sisters
and brothers of an unwell child.
  The St Kilda resident, 23, spends
four hours a fortnight helping the
Kidd family in Carrum Downs
whose daughter Erin, 6, has a rare
genetic neurological   disorder and
needs 24-hour care.
  Ms Mariolis, who got involved in
the charity after her younger sis-
ter died from cancer six years ago,
also enjoys spending time with
Erin's older sister Aiyana, 9, and
going to the park or movies,
colouring    in, scrap-booking   or
doing arts and crafts.
  "Very Special Kids focuses on
the whole family not just the un-
well child," Ms Mariolis said.
  This year's Piggy Bank Appeal,
from September 4 to 27, aims to
raise more than $1 million to sup-
port more than 840 Victorian fam-
ilies.   Volunteers   will   drive
through more than 100 suburbs
and towns with five giant piggy
banks collecting     donations and
selling merchandise.