Photo: Members of Bayswater Fire Brigade fundraising for last year's Good Friday Appeal
CFA members across Victoria are looking ahead to a big day of fundraising tomorrow for this year's Good Friday Appeal.
Local CFA brigades have carved out a wonderful annual tradition, having raised more than $36 million for the Royal Children's Hospital since 1951.
Nathalia firefighters Anita and James Stirling will be leading from the front as the brigade participates in a range of fundraising activities tomorrow, motivated by her seven-year-old son, Angus.
Angus' story with The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) began when he was born at 35 weeks.
"He stopped growing and was readmitted at four weeks old and was in and out of hospital over the next few months," she said.
Angus was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD), a liver condition, and Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), a respiratory system condition.
"These conditions meant he wasn't absorbing his food properly and wasn't growing, as well as frequently getting chest infections that could quickly develop into pneumonia," Anita said.
"Angus was fed using a nasogastric tube until he was six months old.
"Once we connected with the gastroenterology and respiratory teams at RCH, Angus' development progressed in leaps and bounds.
Anita said the now seven-year-old is not held back by his condition and thanks for the staff at the RCH, he is living a fulfilled and healthy life.
Anita and James' story is not uncommon, and the RCH has touched so many families across Victoria in the same way, including many of our own CFA members.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the thousands of CFA members on fire trucks and standing at traffic lights rattling tins in their firefighting gear is one of the things that defines the Good Friday Appeal.
"CFA's long-standing partnership with the Appeal is not possible without the selfless CFA volunteers who give up time every year to fundraise for the worthy cause to support the RCH," he said.
"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. Find brigade fundraising pages at www.fundraise.goodfridayappeal.com.au/find-a-fundraiser.
Donate online at www.goodfridayappeal.com.au. On Good Friday, 7 April, call 1300 APPEAL between 9am and midnight.
