MOTORISTS passing through Wallan on Thursday and Friday might notice Wallan Country Fire Authority, CFA, members out and about for a good cause.
The brigade, and many others across the region, will be out in force collecting for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, an annual Easter charity drive that exists solely to support the Victorian hospital.
CFA members will be rattling tins at the traffic lights at the corner of Watson Street and High Street, Wallan, as well as the BP petrol station on the Hume Freeway.
People can also make a donation by visiting Wallan Fire Brigade at 96-98 Watson Street.
The brigade has raised a total of $139,797.69 since it began collecting for the appeal in 2002, and Wallan area manager Allie Tuddin said she hoped residents would make a big addition to that total this year.
In other towns, CFA members and Scouts will visit houses to collect donations.
Ms Tuddin said donations in the past two years had been suppressed by the COVID-19 pandemic but she hoped the easing of restrictions would boost collection this year.
“Before COVID we would get anything between $20,000 and $30,000, but the last couple of years we were lucky to get $2000,” she said.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed that with restrictions easing this year we’ll be able to raise a bit more money.”
Ms Tuddin said the group would collect money from 6pm on Thursday and between 8am and 3pm on Good Friday.
People wanting more information can call Ms Tuddin on 0422 214 144.
“It’s important to help the sick kids. No kid should have to go through a childhood illness, so we need every dollar we can get,” she said.
