CFA Brigades in Montrose, Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully and Upper Ferntree Gully are determined to help raise $40,000 for the Good Friday Appeal in 2022.
In previous years, the CFA’s Knox Group has come close but just short of the goal. The appeal raises money for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Knox Group CFA Secretary Darryl Cardonia said after a meeting with the group of brigades, the target has been set and agreed upon.
Knox Group consists of eight fire brigades from Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Montrose, Rowville, Scoresby, The Basin and Upper Ferntree Gully.
Boronia CFA volunteer Bill Ireland has been raising money for the appeal for 50 years and said he will be collecting money outside the Boronia Hotel again this year.
“Collecting money for the Good Friday Appeal gives me a great feeling,” he said.
“My son was a patient at the Royal Children’s Hospital, and he endured many operations, so it’s my pleasure to help the hospital and the children out.”
Boronia Brigade Captain Ramon Relph said Boronia CFA has been raising money through a car washing event for the past six years.
“We feel it gives our juniors a sense of achievement and involvement when they collect for the RCH”, he said.
“As the Captain, it makes me proud to see the juniors give up their public holiday to help others. I have been in the CFA for over 20 years and look forward to Good Friday every year.”
The Basin CFA will be collecting money at BP Eastlink on Thursday and on Good Friday.
Montrose CFA volunteer Eddie Tichelaar said local elderly residents walk up to them every year to donate money they’ve saved up.
“Many no longer drive and enjoy just coming up and thanking CFA which is very generous.”
Mr Tichelaar’s daughter was diagnosed with a congenital heart block four months before she was born.
“For the next 16 years the RCH was a second home to our family,” he said.
CFA members have been supporting the Good Friday Appeal since 1951 by volunteering their time and raising funds for the hospital, having raised more than $35 million over 71 years.
The 2022 Good Friday Appeal will be held on Friday 15 April.
