CFA is asking the community, including those in Hume and Whittlesea, to dig deep this Friday and donate to CFA members rattling tins across the state for the Good Friday Appeal.
Local CFA brigades have carved out a wonderful annual tradition, having raised more than $37 million for the Royal Children’s Hospital since 1951.
Reg Smith started brigade fundraising for the appeal along with his wife Dianne and another member, Noel Cray.
All three have been involved for 53 years, ever since the local pub retired the fundraiser and CFA took it over.
Reg said it hadn’t changed over the years, they’re still driving trucks, tin rattling and collecting in Stawell and surrounding areas.
“We try and raise as much as we can for the hospital, we think it’s such a great cause getting to help the kids out,” Reg said.
“Two of our kids and one grandson attended the hospital so it’s a cause close to our hearts.
“We also get so many people around Stawell wanting to help the cause because they have some connection to it.”
Last year the brigade with help from local businesses raised $54,052.
“It’s just tremendous, we didn’t think we had raised that much money. I think in the first year we only raised around $700 and now we are getting up to $60,000,” Reg said.
The couple were in their 20s when they first started helping the appeal, now Reg is 81 and Diane 77.
Reg has also been with CFA for 64 years.
“We look forward to the appeal every year and love meeting new people around Easter time,” he said.
“We’re getting older, but we will keep going for a while I think.”
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said thousands of CFA members on fire trucks and standing at traffic lights rattling tins in their firefighting gear was one of the things that defines the Good Friday Appeal.
“CFA’s long-standing partnership with the Appeal is not possible without CFA volunteers who give up time every year to fundraise so they can raise as much as possible to help the kids,” he said.
CFA brigades will also be fundraising online for those who don’t get a chance to donate in person. Find brigade fundraising pages at Good Friday Appeal : Find a Fundraiser
Donate online at www.goodfridayappeal.com.au on Good Friday, 29 March, call 1300 APPEAL between
9am and 11pm.
