THEY are as Easter as chocolate eggs and four days off, and once again volunteers from the region\u2019s CFA brigades will be out and about shaking tins to raise money for the Royal Children\u2019s Hospital\u2019s Good Friday Appeal.<\/p>\n
Fifth Lieutenant Chris Mair of the Wendouree CFA brigade is Ballarat\u2019s Good Friday Appeal area manager and said the city often outperforms much of Victoria when it comes to supporting the hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cBallarat\u2019s quite a good regional area for this, and often at the top of the list for the final regional tally,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe often outdo Geelong and Bendigo, so we like to keep that tradition going with a bit of a friendly rivalry between our brigades.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great thing because kids benefit in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ballarat topped last year\u2019s tally, raising over $122,000 for the Good Friday Appeal, and many within the community have already started building this year\u2019s proceeds.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s appeal will also see Fifth Lieutenant Mair serving her first year as Ballarat\u2019s CFA area manager, who said she has some big shoes to fill after taking over from the previous coordinator of 27 years, Ray Trounson.<\/p>\n
Fifth Lieutenant Mair said this year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Having collected for the appeal throughout Mr Trounson\u2019s time, Lieutenant Mair said it is the family atmosphere that keeps her coming back year after year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a great thing to be a part of. We\u2019re like a big family coming together under a great cause.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho knows if my kids might have ever needed to go to the Royal Children\u2019s Hospital. If they did, I\u2019d want them to have the best care they could.\u201d<\/p>\n
To donate to the Good Friday Appeal, visit goodfridayappeal.com.au\/donate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THEY are as Easter as chocolate eggs and four days off, and once again volunteers from the region\u2019s CFA brigades will be out and about shaking tins to raise money for the Royal Children\u2019s Hospital\u2019s Good Friday Appeal. Fifth Lieutenant Chris Mair of the Wendouree CFA brigade is Ballarat\u2019s Good Friday Appeal area manager and […]<\/p>\n