Recently CFA was approached to support Camp Quality which wanted to run a weekend away for children with cancer at ‘The Lodge’ in Grantville.
The theme for the camp was 'heroes' and everything the children want to be when they grow up. A Camp Quality spokesperson said, “We believe not every hero wears a cape and we wanted to introduce these kids to our everyday heroes”.
The aim was to have all emergency services attend and stage themselves around a central area at the campsite. From there the children can go from truck to truck to look at each service, talk to the everyday heroes and hopefully have some interaction/activities.
Bass and Kernot-Grantville brigades were lucky enough to join with Ambulance Victoria, SES and Lightning McQueen to spend some quality time with these children.
All the children at camp received show bags and CFA beanies. The beanies were funded by the Grantville and District Bendigo Community Bank and Brothers Keepers Social Firefighters Motorcycle Club.
Andy Stewart of Bass Fire Brigade perfectly summed up the feelings of those members who attended.
“We had a great time showing the kids the fire trucks, our helmets, talking on the radios and blast the sirens. All in all, it was a hilariously funny and an immensely inspiring morning,” Andy said.
He went on to say that all members who attended were inspired by the children's positive outlook and incredible bravery in the face of illness.
“Though it was us in uniform being described as heroes that day, none of us was comfortable with that tag in the face of your real-life courage and bravery.”
On the day there were 40 children aged from 6 to 9 years old.
Photos courtesy of Camp Quality
Author: Steven Corrigan