Photo: Face of the Good Friday Appeal, Arlo, inside a fire truck with a Hoppers Crossing brigade member.
One of this year’s Faces of the Good Friday Appeal paid a visit to Hoppers Crossing Fire Station to meet his local heroes and try his hand at firefighting.
Arlo and his family, who live in Hoppers Crossing, were invited to their local fire station to connect with the brigade, spray a fire hose and sit in a tanker ahead of this year’s Good Friday Appeal.
The two-year-old was named one of this year’s Faces of the Good Friday Appeal alongside six-year-old Aru, whose stories demonstrate the need for the world-class care that The Royal Children’s Hospital provides to sick kids across Victoria and beyond.
CFA has been a major fundraiser of the Good Friday Appeal for the past 72 years.
It’s become an annual tradition for members across the state to look forward to each year, having raised more than $36 million collectively for The Royal Children’s Hospital since 1951.
Hoppers Crossing Captain Paul DiMartino surprised Arlo and his family by naming him an honorary member of the brigade.
“It’s been great to see our members interact with Arlo and learn more about his story from their family,” he said.
“It really underpins why we do what we do in fundraising each year for the Good Friday Appeal.”
Hoppers Crossing CFA has raised more than $193,000 for the Appeal in total and are aiming high this year, hoping to exceed the $200,000 mark.
Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook welcomed Arlo to the station and taught him the ropes of firefighting.
“We’re pleased to welcome Arlo and his family down to their local CFA station to connect with our volunteers ahead of this year’s Good Friday Appeal,” he said,
“The Good Friday Appeal is close to the hearts of many of our members across the state, and hearing stories like Arlo’s further motivates our people to continue supporting the Appeal year after year.”
Good Friday Appeal Executive Director Rebecca Cowan said it was an honour to be at the station with one of the Faces of the Appeal, Arlo.
“We’re proud to see one of our little ambassadors, Arlo become an honorary member of the brigade,” she said.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the CFA for 72 years of supporting the Good Friday Appeal and raising much needed funds for The Royal Children’s Hospital. Every dollar raised from this year’s Appeal is an investment towards Hospital’s innovative and life changing projects, building on existing programs to improve children’s’ care and lessen the burden of chronic illness over the years to come.
“An iconic and familiar sight of the Appeal is the thousands of CFA volunteers rattling tins on fire trucks and at traffic lights right across Victoria and we look forward to seeing the brigades return for this year's Good Friday Appeal."
CFA volunteers will be out in force across the state on Good Friday, as thousands of members rattle tins from fire trucks, at traffic lights and camping grounds.
Funds raised go towards delivering the best possible care to patients and their families.
CFA brigades will also be fundraising online for those who don’t get a chance to donate in person. The Online Tin Shake website is live. Find brigade fundraising pages at www.fundraise.goodfridayappeal.com.au/find-a-fundraiser.
How to donate:
Donate online at www.goodfridayappeal.com.au
On Good Friday, 7 April, call 1300 APPEAL between 9am and midnight.