By Shelby Brooks and Jamie Salter
A record $22 million has been raised for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, with people giving generously across the district.
After a difficult two years with a heavy reliance on online fundraising, CFA volunteers from across the entire state were excited to hit the streets in their local communities.
The Pakenham CFA was out shaking tins on Friday 15 April, in a collection drive members have been undertaking since 2015.
Pakenham CFA member and fundraising organiser Stuart Sinclair said about 16 members donated their time to stand at intersections in Pakenham to collect donations.
“This is really the first real year after Covid-19 we’ve properly collected,“ Stuart said.
“It’s a great cause to support as a way for the brigade to give something else back to the community that isn’t fire related and it’s also a fun day and experience.“
This year, the brigade raised $5933.65 and Stuart thinks the total across the seven years they have been doing it is close to $50,000.
Lang Lang also shone bright this year in the regional tally, raising a whopping $13,374, while Warragul raised $7704 and Drouin $4657.
Officer Fire Brigade broke its fundraising record this year, raising a total of $10,971.30.
“Thank you so much to everyone who came through the freeway BP service stations in Officer and donated on Thursday and Good Friday,“ captain Robert McCandless said.
“It was definitely a great result considering we were out for about nine hours over two days.
“This is a record number for the Officer Fire Brigade since we started raising money for the Good Friday Appeal and we couldn’t be happier.“
The last time the Officer brigade fundraised in person, $9233.15 was collected.
“The previous year was virtual, so it was great to get back out there and be a part of the community,“ Mr McCandless said.
“It’s been something we’ve been doing over the past five years or so in Officer and to help support research and technology for sick children is very important.
“I don’t think we donate enough for these sort of things and this is our way giving back a bit.“
CFA Acting Chief Officer Rohan Luke presented the cheque to the Royal Children’s Hospital and congratulated all involved in this year’s appeal.
“It was an honour to present the cheque to the Royal Children’s Hospital on behalf of the dedicated CFA members right across Victoria,” Mr Rohan said.
“CFA members already give up their time to protect the lives of Victorians through their brigades, and it’s a credit to their community-mindedness that they also take time out to fundraise for such a great cause.“
Brigades that set up a Virtual Tin Shake also raised a total of $38,122 online.
