By Eleanor Wilson
The Narre Warren Fire Brigade provided all the bells and whistles to Sunday’s iconic Run For The Kids, travelling 14.8 kilometres in a homemade firetruck to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal.
“We expected the firetruck would bring some form of attention, but we didn’t quite realise we’d be on [the] news!” said senior firefighter Tony Bundock.
The group of seven runners, which included Tony and Karen Bundock, Peter Green, Rob Beard, Adrian Jones, Cory Green and Samantha Anderson carried the 15-kilogram fire engine throughout the Melbourne central business district course.
“It was a bit tough because it is 14.8 kilometres and it’s not all downhill,” Mr Bundock said.
“But once you got over towards Southbank, basically everyone was standing up out of their chairs and clapping as we ran past and it made me a bit emotional.”
Mr Bundock said the fire station has been participating in the run for several years, but this year marked the first time they did so with the added challenge of a prop.
“We were pleased it wasn’t windy because the fire engine is like a big sail so we were a bit worried about how that would affect things,“ he said.
“But it was just really nice to get out there and give it a go.”
So far the fire brigade has raised $2024 from the run, which will be donated towards the annual Good Friday Appeal.
“We’re still a fair way off our rather ambitious target of $10,000, but we still have some time to gather a few more donations,” Mr Bundock said.
To donate to the Narre Warren CFA’s RFTK campaign, head to bit.ly/3qZk88X
