Good day for raising funds

THEY are as Easter as chocolate eggs and four days off, and once again volunteers from the region’s CFA brigades will be out and about shaking tins to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal.

Fifth Lieutenant Chris Mair of the Wendouree CFA brigade is Ballarat’s Good Friday Appeal area manager and said the city often outperforms much of Victoria when it comes to supporting the hospital.

“Ballarat’s quite a good regional area for this, and often at the top of the list for the final regional tally,” she said.

“We often outdo Geelong and Bendigo, so we like to keep that tradition going with a bit of a friendly rivalry between our brigades.

“It’s a great thing because kids benefit in the end.”

Ballarat topped last year’s tally, raising over $122,000 for the Good Friday Appeal, and many within the community have already started building this year’s proceeds.

The Stag Hotel held their CFA Bowls Day last month, raising over $27,000, and Sebastopol CFA is looking to reach a collective $500,000 goal after decades of contributions.

This year’s appeal will also see Fifth Lieutenant Mair serving her first year as Ballarat’s CFA area manager, who said she has some big shoes to fill after taking over from the previous coordinator of 27 years, Ray Trounson.

Fifth Lieutenant Mair said this year’s efforts have been limited with continued restrictions, and that the virtual tin donation implemented during restrictions will still be available for those wishing to contribute any way they can.

Having collected for the appeal throughout Mr Trounson’s time, Lieutenant Mair said it is the family atmosphere that keeps her coming back year after year.

“I’ve stood on many intersections, got sunburnt a lot of times, froze a few others. It just gets in your blood, the spirit of it all,” she said.

“It’s just a great thing to be a part of. We’re like a big family coming together under a great cause.

“Who knows if my kids might have ever needed to go to the Royal Children’s Hospital. If they did, I’d want them to have the best care they could.”

To donate to the Good Friday Appeal, visit goodfridayappeal.com.au/donate.