By Tyler Wright
The Dandenong Ranges Fire Brigade Group raised $20,000 for the Good Friday Appeal this year in support of the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Members of seven local brigades took to residential streets and intersections for six hours on Friday 7 April, shaking their tins to raise money for patient care for children and their families.
“Normally we are looking at at least 10 or 12 members on the collection at any one time,” Kallista-The Patch Fire Brigade member Ralph Ross said.
“There’s a lot of people that collect coins over the years specifically to give to us collectors at the roadside while they’re driving, and they’re all very generous.”
This year, volunteers handed out cards with printed QR codes for people to donate at their own convenience.
“Over the years, it’s a well known cause and they know that the money collected, all of that money goes to the hospital for better facilities for the kids,” Mr Ross said.
“It’s amazing, just the generosity of the general public. Whatever they’ve got, they’ll give.
“Whether it’s a 20 cent or 50 cent coin or a $50 note, it’s amazing some of the money that you get collected from people.”
The CFA raised $1,606,287 for the Good Friday Appeal in 2023, contributing to a record $23,061,320 raised in total.
Selby Fire Brigade, Belgrave Fire Brigade and Belgrave Heights & South Fire Brigade members all stepped out onto their local streets to collect money for the appeal, while members from Kallista Fire Brigade, Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Brigade, Upwey Fire Brigade, Kalorama Fire Brigade and Emerald Fire Brigade gathered at rodsides in Upwey and Bayswater.
Dandenong Ranges Group Officer Stuart Parker said raising funds for the Good Friday Appeal drives home the benefit of a volunteer activity the CFA can contribute to.
“It’s certainly a well worthy cause with burns that kids do sustain…it’s certainly well in line with what our core activities are of communities and fire and rescue,” he said.
