Young fundraiser gives back to veterans

FOR the second year in a row, a young Invermay Park resident has raised funds for the Anzac Day appeal with his latest donation marking a major step up from his previous efforts.

With the help of his grandparents, nine-year-old Freddy Tudor raised nearly $560 for the Ballarat RSL as part of the appeal after last year making about $150.

“This one’s just exploded a little,” Freddy’s father Stephen said. “He’s put a bit of pressure onto himself for next year. “The last three years I’ve been taking him to the dawn service to help him get a bit of an idea about why we do what we do in supporting the Anzacs and veterans.

“Freddy loves his footy and we watch the Anzac Day footy and Anzac Day eve footy. We spend a bit of time at the RSL too so hopefully it’s something he can grow into next year.”

Freddy’s fundraising effort was bolstered with homemade Anzac biscuits and lemonade, and golf balls provided by his maternal and paternal grandmothers.

With the local RSL’s home near the Midlands Golf Club just across the road from Freddy, the items were sold from his driveway for a few hours from midday, after which the cash was dropped off that same evening.

Ballarat RSL veteran advocate Phil Carter collected the funds and said the cash will be well-utilised amongst the region.

“The money will go into the patriotic fund which is set aside from the Anzac Appeal and used only to support veterans and their families,” he said.

“We might have people coming in ending up homeless and need money for a bond. We also do a lot of food vouchers. We never know when we’ll need to use the money so it’s important to have it ready.

“To have a young lad like Freddy come to the RSL and find out what he did, it says to us kids like Freddy really get the Anzac tradition and want to look after veterans.

“That’s what got us, that he understands what the money will be used for. At his age, that’s truly remarkable.”