Volunteer firefighters will be out and about on Saturday at Dubbo as a country honours them and their colleagues for their service.
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National Red Balloon Day began in Victoria in 2014 and is held on February 28 to say “Thank you Fireys”.
On Saturday members of the Boothenba brigade of the NSW Rural Fire Service will be holding an event at Orana Mall to mark the occasion.
The crews will be selling balloons, pens, stubby holders, stickers and lapel pins from 9am to 1pm.
The will also have a Mini Moke for the littlies and plenty of firefighters for people to speak to.
“This is a fundraiser and community education [event] for us and we hope to have a successful day,” deputy captain and community engagement officer Sharon Dykes said.
The national event was inspired by a similar event in Geelong in early 2014.
Then Bendigo woman Jody Hardiman thought to take it nationwide annually, so created an event on social media for ‘National Red Balloon Day’, aiming to honour and thank firefighters Australia-wide.
All proceeds from the fundraising event will go directly back to the state from which they are purchased, the organisers report.