CFA’s Knox Group of brigades, including Montrose CFA, has a long tradition of raising money for the Good Friday Appeal and this year will be no different.
Over the years the Group has just come short of their ultimate goal of reaching $40,000, so this year they are determined to reach that figure.
Knox Group consists of eight fire brigades covering Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Montrose, Rowville, Scoresby, The Basin and Upper Ferntree Gully.
Montrose CFA volunteer Eddie Tichelaar said they have local elderly residents walk up to them every year to donate money that they have saved throughout the year.
“Many no longer drive and enjoy just coming up and thanking CFA which is very generous,” he said.
Royal Children’s Hospital also has a special place in Eddie’s heart, with his daughter Danielle diagnosed with a congenital heart block 4 months before she was born.
“For the next 18 years the RCH was a second home for our family,” he said.
Knox Group CFA Secretary Darryl Cardona said he’s conducted a meeting with the group of brigades, and the target has been set, and they’re all on board.
Montrose Brigade will be rattling tins and collecting donations on Canterbury Rd and Mountain Hwy.
Boronia CFA volunteer Bill Ireland has been raising money for the Good Friday Appeal for the last 50 years and said this year he will again be collecting money outside the Boronia Hotel on the corner of Boronia and Dorset Roads, as he does every year.
“Collecting money for the Good Friday Appeal gives me a great feeling. My son was a patient at the Royal Children’s Hospital, and he endured many operations, so it’s my pleasure to help the hospital and the children out”, he said.
And it’s not just the adults raising money this year, with the Boronia Juniors actively involved.
This year they will undertake a car wash at Fast Fuel Wantirna between 8am and 2pm, with hopes of raising $2,000 on the day.
Boronia Brigade Captain Ramon Relph said they have been doing this car washing event for the past 6 years.
“We feel it gives our juniors a sense of achievement and involvement when they collect for the RCH”, he said.
“As the Captain it makes me proud to see the juniors give up their public holiday to help others. I have been in the CFA for over 20 years and look forward to Good Friday every year.”
Scoresby Fire Brigade will also be collecting money at BP Eastlink on the Thursday outbound, when half of Melbourne go to the Mornington Peninsula and again on Good Friday.
The Basin Brigade will collect at Burwood Hwy and Dawson St and just shy of the popular 1,000 steps at Upper Ferntree Gully.
CFA members have supported the Good Friday Appeal since 1951 (71 years), volunteering their time and raising funds for the hospital and have raised more than $35 million. The 2022 Good Friday Appeal will be held on Friday 15 April.
