The Generous Hearts for Violet event packed out Gunnedah's Imperial Hotel on Saturday night, supporters not only having a good time but doing a huge kindness in Violet Rolinson's name.

Unfortunately, the girl of honour couldn't be there: Violet, who has just turned one year old, was in a Melbourne hospital after having a pacemaker fitted last week.

Mum Reanna Beasley said she and Violet's dad, Dan Rolinson, had been "a bit shocked" to learn of the total.

"I think the community of Gunnedah is amazing," she said. "Dan and I are so grateful to everyone."

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Violet has dilated cardiomyopathy and a bundle branch blockage, and a heart transplant is on the cards some time in the future.

The travel, appointments, medication and time off work involved means money can be tight, particularly for single mum Ms Beasley.

She said the donation would "take a lot pressure off financially".

Publican Mandy Fathers said the crowd of "well over 100 people" had been "very generous".

"It was busy - very busy - there were people there I'd never met before," she said.

"Just the people and how wonderful they were gets me really emotional, because they were just so giving."

Mandy and Mark Fathers provided the venue and bucking bull free, but Mrs Fathers said the generosity was widespread.

"All the businesses are in desperate times themselves and just donated so much; it was awesome," she said.