Firefighters shaking all over for a worthy cause

By Shaun Inguanzo
SHAKE, rattle and roll.
That’s the plan for this year’s Good Friday Appeal, according to Narre Warren and Berwick firefighters.
The hard-working volunteers will be rattling tins at the intersection of High Street and Clyde Road in Berwick on Good Friday for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
After the combined team of about 20 firefighters wraps up their operation at 1pm, they will transport the money to the appeal’s money counting centre and may even announce their total on national television.
In previous years the effort has raised up to $8000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).
Narre Warren firefighter Damien Baker said the volunteer brigades were normally in need of funds for their own operations but had a soft spot for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“It would be nice for the brigade to have that sort of money, but it is Good Friday so it’s all about the kids,” he said.
“A lot of us who go out there and rattle tins have had personal dealings with the RCH.”
“And most people out there are family people, and the spirit of the Good Friday Appeal has really been tradition.
“I’ve been a firefighter for eight years and we’ve gone out rattling every year during that time.”
Mr Baker urged the community to support the tin-rattling fundraiser by dropping-in whatever loose change they could spare.
“Some people empty the loose change out of their ash trays,” he said.
“And we’re always excited when we get notes.
“The biggest I’ve seen donated is $50. It certainly reflects well on the community and makes you appreciate the people we have living here, and that includes the ones who empty the change in their ashtrays.”
The donations will then be taken via convoy to the appeal’s money counting centre in Melbourne.
“Last year it was taken down to Telstra Dome where they do the counting,” Mr Baker said.
“We go into Hampton Park and meet up with other brigades in the area and then go by convoy.
“Sometimes we might go to the tally room and mention the amount raised on television.”
This week doughnut company Krispy Kreme treated the firefighters to some of its new Easter buns in a bid to help promote the appeal.