By Oliver Lees
A group of kids in the Macedon Ranges have come together to raise funds for the State Emergency Service’s (SES) Gisborne unit.
Children from the neighbourhoods surrounding Gisborne have been doing chores for other residents and organised a bake sale to raise money for the unit, which has been working overtime to clear damage after storms battered the region.
SES Gisborne member Ross Evans said the support from the community had been “overwhelming”.
“We received a message from one of our newest members, Kristen, who’s children, along with others in the neighbourhood, had raised money as a thank you to the SES,” Mr Evans said.
“It was young Annie, seven [years old], who came up with the idea to raise money and enlisted the local kids to help.
“To say thank you to this wonderful group of kids, we organised a quick visit from our members to show off some of the equipment we use and talk to them about the storms.”
Bendigo Bank has also raised $1500 for both the Gisborne SES and CFA.
Volunteers at SES Gisborne responded to 125 tree down events, 16 flood events and one rescue in a four day period between June 9 and June 13.
The unit also lent a hand to the overstretched Woodend SES, who received more than 600 requests for assistance in that period.
