By REBECCA BILLS
MOUNT Evelyn Fast Fuel service station and the Mount Evelyn Fire Brigade are partnering again for the annual CFA carwash fundraiser.
In a bid to raise much needed funds to replace a CFA vehicle at the brigade, Fast Fuel is opening up its carwash bays for four hours to help.
Fast Fuel co-manager James Nicolaou said it is always a successful event.
“The CFA guys wash the customer’s cars for a donation and all the money goes back to them,” he said.
“I think this year will be more successful because a lot of people have already gone on holidays and they are home now.
“To give an actual number of how many cars will come through, I think it will be anywhere between 200 and 400 vehicles.”
Mr Nicolaou said the event always has a good turnout that raises a helpful amount of money for the brigade.
He said he hopes to have a jumping castle and clown for the children.
“Being able to give back to the community means everything to us,” he said.
“Dad is an immigrant and he came to this land with nothing and his way of living is if you help others, you will get help back.
“Whether it’s our local high schools, primary schools and other organisations, if we can help to contribute any sort of donation into our community we will.”
Mount Evelyn CFA president Ken Reed said the event is an opportunity for the community to get to know the brigade members as well as the work they do.
“We are trying to raise money to replace one of our cars and this is one of the fundraisers we do,” he said.
“We get about $2000 on the day but all up we are looking at about $20,000 to pay for the new car.
“However, the event is really for the community and for them to get to know us.”
Mr Reed said he hopes everybody brings all their cars down for them to wash on the day.
“We generally make it $5 per car and $7 for a wagon, but on the day it’s really about what people donate,” he said.
Fast Fuel is located at 1 Monbulk Road, Mount Evelyn, with the CFA sausage sizzle and car wash commencing at 10am through to 2pm on Australia Day, Sunday 26 January.
