By YASEMIN TALAT
The Werribee and Wyndham Vale Fire Brigades joined forces over the Easter long weekend raising a staggering amount for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
This year they raised a new record amount of $75,000.
Last year they raised just on $63,000 and about $55,000 the year before.
Werribee Fire Brigade Good Friday Appeal coordinator Peter May said he hoped to continue improving each year.
“It’s good to achieve a considerable amount,” Mr May said.
“If we get $20,000 then we’ve achieved what we’ve set out to achieve in collecting funds. If we achieve more than $200,000 then it’s a bonus.”
The team of volunteers including brigade members and their families, St John Ambulance members and local residents helped collect from residential areas and five intersections.
Mr May estimated that 150 to about 190 collectors took part on Good Friday.
There were 16 vehicles including shuttle buses and fire engines transporting and overlooking the groups who collected in 38 different sectors.
Mr May said each year more volunteers are coming on board, including a lot of youth.
“It gives them a sense of good feeling, doing something for the community and doing something for the kids. They get a real buzz out of it,” he said.
The day was as eventful as always said Mr May.
Kick starting with a hot cross bun breakfast, volunteers also enjoyed a BBQ fish lunch and afternoon tea.
“We had just about 40 kilos of fish delivered to us,” Mr May said.
