Kyabram's Good Friday Appeal will be lead by the local brigade’s Mick Crompton, Allan Weeks, Robert Lennie and Quaid Collins.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
Mick Crompton makes no apologies for the early wake-up calls he’s about to give the residents of Kyabram.
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Set your alarms for Friday, April 18, as the dedicated Kyabram CFA volunteers will be making their way down Allan St, sirens blaring, collecting donations for the Royal Children’s Hospital’s annual Good Friday Appeal.
This cause resonates deeply with Mr Crompton, who has led the annual fundraiser since 2008, drawing from his own experiences as a frequent visitor to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
His son, Kayne Crompton, was diagnosed with hydrocephalus ‒ which is fluid on the brain ‒ at three months old.
Doctors inserted a shunt in his head to drain the fluid, but just three months later, little Kayne was back at the hospital, once again fighting for his life.
More than 18 years on, Mr Crompton said he is “forever indebted” to the hospital.
“Personally, what they’ve done for us and for saving Kayne’s life... we’ll be forever grateful for that and what they continue to do for all sick kids in our community,” Mr Crompton said.
This year, he has set his sights on hitting the $25,000 mark for on-the-day donations.
“I always try and beat the previous year’s result... If we get $25,000 - I’ll be ecstatic,” he said.
“It’s a day where everyone bands together, and I think this year will be no different.”
The Good Friday Appeal kicks off at 9am with a rousing siren call.
Kyabram CFA’s Mick Crompton, Allan Weeks, Robert Lennie and Quaid Collins are aiming to raise $25,000 this Good Friday.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
Instead of door-knocking, fire trucks will travel down the northern end of Allan St with sirens blaring, encouraging residents to donate their spare change.
The CFA will then do a second run at 1pm from the southern end of Allan St appealing for more.
At the Kyabram Bombers football home game the same afternoon, the CFA will hop onto the pitch at half-time to do a blanket run around the oval, asking for attendees to throw cash into a blanket to rally even more funds.
The Merrigum CFA will also be fundraising for the cause on Kyabram’s behalf, rallying to raise as much money for the Children’s Hospital as possible.
For those who prefer cashless donations, volunteers will be equipped with EFTPOS machines, making it easy for everyone to contribute using their cards.
Mr Crompton encourages residents awakened by the sirens on Good Friday to embrace the momentary disturbance as a reminder of the important cause and the community’s collective effort to support it.
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