The CFA is asking the community to dig deep this Friday and donate to CFA members rattling tins across the state for the Good Friday Appeal.
CFA brigades have carved out an annual tradition, having raised more than $37 million for the Royal Children’s Hospital since 1951.
One of those brigades is in Stawell. It has been raising funds since 1971, collecting a massive $878,614.
Reg Smith started brigade fundraising for the appeal along with his wife, Dianne, and another member, Noel Cray.
All three have been involved for 53 years, ever since the local pub retired the fundraiser and the CFA took it over.
Mr Smith said it hadn’t changed over the years; they were still driving trucks, tin-rattling and collecting in Stawell and surrounding areas.
“We try and raise as much as we can for the hospital; we think it’s such a great cause getting to help the kids out,” Mr Smith said.
“Two of our kids and one grandson attended the hospital, so it’s a cause close to our hearts.
“We also get so many people around Stawell wanting to help the cause because they have some connection to it.”
Last year, the brigade, with help from local businesses, raised $54,052.
“It’s just tremendous; we didn’t think we had raised that much money,” Mr Smith said.
“I think in the first year, we only raised around $700, and now we are getting up to $60,000.”
The Smiths were in their 20s when they started helping the appeal; now Reg is 81 and Diane 77.
Mr Smith has been with CFA for 64 years.
“We look forward to the appeal every year and love meeting new people around Easter time,” he said.
“We’re getting older, but we will keep going for a while, I think.”
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said thousands of CFA members on fire trucks and standing at traffic lights rattling tins in their firefighting gear were one of the things that defined the Good Friday Appeal.
“CFA’s long-standing partnership with the appeal is not possible without CFA volunteers who give up time every year to fundraise so they can raise as much as possible to help the kids,” he said.
CFA brigades will also be fundraising online for those who don’t get a chance to donate in person.
Donate online at goodfridayappeal.com.au