Beaconsfield’s volunteer firefighters are collecting toys, food and money for their annual Christmas appeal, after raising nearly $14,000 for West Tamar families last year.
The Beaconsfield Volunteer Fire Brigade’s Wishing Tree Appeal is seeking new toys, gift vouchers, experiences, food and cash for local families who “do it a bit tough over the festive season”.
Brigade chief Leigh Long said last year’s appeal was the biggest since it began in 2023, reaching nearly 400 families.`
Money left over was used to buy premature baby clothing, nappies, personal care items and toys for the wombat ward and neonatal intensive care unit at the Launceston General Hospital.
“We want to get bigger and better,” Long told Pulse.
“We really want to help as much people as we can that’s in need, whether it be newborn babies right through to, you know, 100-year-old people.”
Former brigade chief Todd Russell came up with the idea for the appeal. Long said it raised around $4,000 in its first year and the brigade says it has given back around $25,000 to the West Tamar community overall.
Long said the West Tamar Lions Club and Beaconsfield Family Medical Practice are big supporters of the appeal.
Some people have told volunteers they could not afford meat for their Christmas meals or that their children would wake up without toys while others were alone after losing a partner.
“Just by giving a nice toy to a child or a hamper to an elderly person … it made their day,” he said.
The brigade’s 20 volunteer firefighters, along with around 10 helpers from outside the brigade will wrap upwards of 400 presents this year.
Long asked anyone able to donate “anything, big or little” to get in touch.
Donations can be dropped at Beaconsfield Fire Station between 6pm and 8pm on the first and third Tuesday of each month or arranged through the Beaconsfield Volunteer Fire Brigade Facebook page.
