NEWLY enforced legislation has the potential to significantly impact roadside fundraising activities, ahead of this year’s Good Friday Appeal.
Rural communities have been hit hard by the updated rules, following changes to the Road Safety (Traffic Management) Regulations Act.
Under the Act, police can only issue a permit where there are lights controlling the flow of traffic, and the road speed limit does not exceed 70km/h.
While the new measures aim to enhance road safety, they’ve inadvertently created hurdles for communities such as Manangatang who have relied heavily on roadside collections in the past, to raise much-needed funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital as part of their Good Friday Appeal.
Steve Taylor and his family have been heavily involved in the appeal, since taking over the town’s fundraising activities in 2007.
Mr Taylor said he was informed their roadside collection permit would not be granted in December.
“It’s disappointing because a large portion of our fundraising came from the roadside collection,” he said.
Determined not to be deterred by the new rules, Mr Taylor and his small army of committed volunteers, organised the town’s inaugural auction and trivia night which took place on April 4.
“A lot of people in town have benefited from the Royal Children’s Hospital so it’s really important we keep supporting it,” he said.
Mr Taylor said the appeal was close to his heart and had touched many within the Manangatang community.
“My sister had a heart operation at the Royal Children’s Hospital in the mid-1960s,” he said, adding this was his way to help give back.
Mr Taylor said the auction was well supported by businesses and the wider community who made generous contributions and dug deep for the cause.
“We had 40 businesses donate from Swan Hill, Mildura and Melbourne,” he said.
Around 100 people attended the event which raised more than $7000.
“It was a huge success and we’re now on track to reach our overall fundraising target of $10,000.”
While there’s no roadside collection this year, Mr Taylor and his team will conduct a town collection and are selling Easter goodie bags in a bid to reach their overall fundraising goal.
