By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on October 10, 2020
AN ALBANY volunteer organisation has recorded a substantial fundraising feat this year thanks to the kindness of its local community.
Elleker Volunteer Bushfire Brigade has raised $8,000 since April and secured donations from various local businesses to aid deployed firefighters and ensure the fire shed is adequately resourced.
Roy Smith from the Brigade said he and fellow members had been overwhelmed by the number of donations.
“Southern Ports were great, they donated the fridge for the truck,” he said.
“We did raffles at the Port Theatre for Urinetown, Joop Thai donated food vouchers, we’ve been collecting used car, boat and truck batteries … it’s been massive.”
Fellow member Maxine Jones said the fridge donation was particularly meaningful.
“Getting that was huge,” she said.
“We did some pretty big fires last year and it wasn’t great having only warm water to drink.
“It means a lot.”
This year’s fundraising effort has funded ladders, kit bags, uniforms and a television for in-house training.
A compressor for the fire shed is next on the list.
The Brigade is focusing on community awareness this month, hosting meet and greet days to communicate with locals and teach them about hazard reduction, who to contact before lighting a private burn off and where to look for fire condition weather reports.
If anyone wants to support the Brigade by donating old car, boat and truck batteries, call 0427 771 118 for collection.
