After a year’s recess due to the coronavirus lockdown, the dedicated members of the Castlemaine Fire Brigade will once again be out collecting for this year’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
However, this year’s fundraiser will look a little different due to covid considerations.
Castlemaine Fire Brigade member and Appeal Coordinator Bill Maltby and long time collectors Ron Gartside and Greg Hughes said instead of their traditional tour of the town’s streets collecting funds, volunteers will instead be based at dedicated collection sites at Maxi IGA, outside Castlemaine News and Lotto in Mostyn Street, and outside Castlemaine IGA in Barker Street Thursday April 1 from 8am to 5pm.
On Good Friday volunteers will also be collecting funds at the traffic lights at the intersection of Forest and Barker Streets in Castlemaine. Alternatively community members who would like to make a donation are welcome to drop into the Castlemaine Fire Station in Barker Street to make their donation from 8am to 2pm on Good Friday. Receipts are available for tax purposes. If you miss the local brigade you can call the RCH Appeal donation hotline on Good Friday only on 1300 277 325.
Mr Maltby said between the trio they have been collecting for the appeal for a combined total of approximately 140 years.
“The brigade has been proudly collecting for this very important appeal since the 1960s and every year we are amazed by the generosity of our local community,” Mr Maltby said.
“Last year people supported us through our Virtual Tin fundraiser online but this year we look forward to getting back out there and collecting for the kids,” he said.