Echuca Fire Brigade third lieutenant Alan Edwards, who co-ordinated the collection with Dom Dean, said the fireys have been collecting “for years”.
Alan said this year they invited the brigade at Bamawm Extension and Echuca-Moama Search and Rescue and Echuca SES
“We worked together rattling tins at intersections and driving up and down local streets collecting donations,” Alan said.
“The town is getting so big we really appreciated having the extra help from the volunteers at the other services,” he said.
“Even better, a lot of their families came along to help us too.”
Good Friday Appeal director Anne Randall said communities such as the twin towns have dug deep, producing another record-breaking total for The Royal Children’s Hospital of $18,175,467.
To show just how good the local total is, Geelong (with its population of 185,000) raised $74,726. Shepparton added $35,745 and Swan Hill $24,830.
From tin shaking and door knocking, to raffles, fundraisers and auctions across Victoria, rural and regional collectors raised a combined $3.48 million.
Additionally CFA collectors around the state – including the twin towns – raised an amazing $1.6m.
“The final tally could not have been reached without the dedicated communities across the state who have come together for the kids,” Anne added.
“We would like to take this time to acknowledge area managers in regional areas as well as the people in those communities for their donation; from tin rattlers, to dedicated fundraisers and of course to those organising events all across the state,
“All the generous donations and funds raised go towards state-of-the-art equipment and technology, patient and family centred care, research, education and training at the RCH,” she said.
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