Lions to shake, rattle and roar for the kids

IT’S nearly time for staunch Bacchus Marsh Lions Club members to shake and rattle for the annual Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

For the past four decades the club’s members have got out among it on the Bacchus Marsh streets to collect donations for the time-honoured appeal raising vital dollars for Victoria’s sick kids.

This time around they’re also preparing be out collecting in the week leading up to Good Friday as well as on the day itself, Friday 3 April, and they’re welcoming anyone else who’d like to help out, the club’s Gerry Monaghan said.

“We’re always looking for additional volunteers to shake cans either before or on Good Friday,” he said.

“On Good Friday we will be based at the CFA shed and we’ll have collectors out and about throughout Bacchus Marsh.

“We generally get a fair percentage of the club out collecting and over the last ten years we’ve averaged around $30,000 each year.

“We get a really good response from the Bacchus Marsh community. Every year we’re out there shaking it has been phenomenal.”

Fellow Lions Club member Bill Richards said that over the years he’s been collecting as part of the annual appeal he’s been very impressed by the kindness he’s seen displayed.

“Some people are incredibly generous,” Mr Richards said.

“I think everybody understands what it’s about.”

Those keen to help the club collect can simply roll up to the Bacchus Marsh CFA station on Good Friday and register, or can get in contact through the club’s website to help collect in the lead-up.