.png "Image to display")
For the last five years, Kalkallo Fire Brigade has been passionately supporting the Good Friday Appeal and is encouraging other brigades to register now to fundraise in next year's activities.
Like many within CFA, recent experiences have been the catalyst for their fundraising efforts, with several brigade members receiving the assistance of the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) for their families.
The appreciation and understanding of the Good Friday Appeal (GFA) has intensified further for Kalkallo Secretary Ally Watson since seeing her niece require their services at four weeks old.
"There are a number of personal stories just like mine for members within the brigade who have also had their own experience at RCH with their children or nieces and nephews," Ally said.
"It is a cause we certainly have a deep connection to and a great deal of gratitude for."
Living in a high growth area where the average age is 29 years old, Ally said an increasing number of young families are moving in and the needs of the town are changing.
"As more young people come into town, the more infants and children we have, and the greater the likelihood that they may need to utilise the services of RCH," Ally said.
"We see a lot of the kids out and about at the Santa runs and open days and they are an important part of our community.
"We'd really encourage brigades with similar demographics to consider fundraising for the Appeal if they have capacity. It is a great way to connect further."
Ally said the generosity of both adults and children has been outstanding, especially throughout a cost-of-living crisis, further reinforcing the significance of the cause.
"We are often sweetly surprised about how heavy our tins are at the end of a shift, as it is always more than we anticipated," Ally said.
"It is a really precious moment when you're standing there tin rattling, and a little kid comes up with their 20 or 50 cent contribution from their pocket money and they're so excited to see you. Kneeling down to let them put it in the tin themselves is really special.
"Those kids know what they're doing, they've obviously had the conversation with their parents and know they're helping other little kids, it's incredible."
Each year the brigade concentrates their fundraising efforts in the days and weekend leading up to Good Friday, as well as the day itself, and has the online portal available to donate too.
Previously, members were bound by service stations, catching the traffic going out of Melbourne for Easter holidays, but have since seen two major shopping centres open in their patch.
"Now we can have a real presence around town, and people will be able to reach us more easily at the new shops and parks to pop some money in the tins," Ally said.
While the Appeal is often held during high fire danger days and availability needs to be balanced, Ally said it's not hard to get a full suite of members popping up their hand to do a tin rattling shift.
To register your 2026 Good Friday Appeal fundraising activity, or to get your town on the regional tally board, please contact the team at [email protected].
