Coles team members from across the South Coast and Canberra have shown their support for the Rocky Hall Fire Brigade, helping to raise $3000 to help the brigade prepare for the summer ahead.
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Coles store managers Kathy Topic and Craig Morrison rallied 140 team members from supermarkets in Canberra, Batemans Bay, Bega and Eden to raise the money through a fundraising trivia night, with proceeds from ticket sales and raffle tickets and donations totalling more than $9000.
The Runnyford Brigade near Batemans Bay, Numbugga Brigade in Bega and the Rocky Hall Brigade in Eden have each received $3000, to support their work in protecting the community over the coming summer.
Deputy captain at Rocky Hall RFS Clint Bradley said the money would be used for a new pump and radio equipment.
Rocky Hall brigade captain Ian Baker said the support from Coles would help the station prepare for the upcoming fire season.
"Rocky Hall was severely affected by the summer bushfires and at least nine houses were destroyed. We're quite humbled by the support shown by the Coles team and very grateful.
"We are still adjusting in preparation for this coming fire season but thankfully this season will be less severe than last summer."
John Appleby, Coles regional manager was full of praise for the work of the Rocky Hall brigade.
"You guys were just amazing, you worked tirelessly and we are really proud to be part of these communities," Mr Appleby said.
He added that Coles has chosen to give to smaller brigades. "These guys are a bit more remote which makes fundraising more difficult for them, that's why we wanted to help," he said.
Deputy captain Clint Bradley said the brigade wants to get a booklet written on the fires and the fire behaviour.
"It would cover Rocky Hall, Burragate and Wyndham; we want to try and capture those memories and learn from them," he said. The brigade has some funding from the RFS but he said there was a lot of work involved in gathering the information.