Knox Group aims high for the kids

 

CFA’s Knox Group of brigades 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.

Knox Group CFA Secretary Darryl Cardona said he’s conducted a meeting with the group of brigades, the target has been set, and they’re all on board.

Boronia brigade volunteer Bill Ireland, who has been raising money for the Good Friday Appeal for the past 50 years, 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.

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 six years.

“We feel it gives our Juniors a sense of achievement and involvement when they collect for the RCH." Ramon 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 drive to the Mornington Peninsula and again on Good Friday.

The Basin brigade will collect at Burwood Hwy and Dawson St, near the popular 1,000 Steps at Upper Ferntree Gully, and Montrose brigade will be collecting on Canterbury Rd and Mountain Hwy.

Montrose brigade volunteer Eddie Tichelaar said they have local elderly residents walk up to them every year to donate money 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 four months before she was born.

“For the next 18 years the RCH was a second home for our family,” he said.

CFA members have supported the Good Friday Appeal since 1951, 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.

 

Submitted by	CFA Media