A message from myself and Chief Officer Euan Ferguson
While many Victorians are taking a much needed break this Easter, thousands of CFA members will be giving up their time to raise money for the annual Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
It's a special tradition for CFA and one we are proud to be part of. Last year our members raised a massive $1.6 million for the appeal – simply by pounding the pavement and rattling tins in every corner of the state. And each year CFA receives thousands of messages of support, praise and thanks from the community to acknowledge the exceptional work done by our people.
CFA has been involved for more than 60 years and, in total, our members have raised more than $23 million for the hospital. The money goes towards buying life-saving equipment and funding research to help sick and injured children.
Today, our members are taking part in a 14-hour treadmill challenge with our MFB counterparts. The challenge kicked off at 7am and crews are attempting to run 150km – the distance from Melbourne to Bendigo – in an effort to raise funds.
Tomorrow, on Good Friday, CFA will be actively involved in the Kids’ Day Out at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with our mobile education unit, the Captain Koala and Friends children’s show and a performance by our Red Austins band at 10am. If you are attending, please come and say hello.
And, of course, our brigades will again be out and about shaking tins across Victoria, from camp sites along the Murray River, to manning traffic lights in metropolitan Melbourne.
Please support your fellow members where possible, and if you would like more information about the appeal please visit goodfridayappeal.com.au
Again, we would like to thank all our members involved. Your continued commitment to this very worthy cause is appreciated not just by CFA, but also the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Victorian public.
We would also like to take this opportunity to ask our members, along with all Victorians, to change the batteries in your smoke alarm when you change your clocks this Sunday, 5 April. Please remind your loved ones, friends or elderly neighbours – it could save their life.
Finally, we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Easter holiday. It’s been a very busy and challenging start to the year for CFA, and we hope you are able to take some time out to enjoy a well-earned break with your families. If you are planning on driving, please take care of yourselves and each other. The holiday period is a traditionally busy time on our roads and we want everyone to return to their loved ones safely this Easter.
Regards
Michael Wootten Euan Ferguson
CEO Chief Officer
Author: Michael Wootten