Dampier’s volunteer firefighters raise money for Reach Us Pilbara cancer charity

Local firefighter volunteers have raised $8000 to support an organisation dedicated to helping those battling cancer. The Dampier Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service presented an $8000 cheque to Reach Us Pilbara Inc this month at a celebratory family event in Dampier. The funds were raised at the Rio Tinto family Christmas party last year and are set to go towards providing support services for cancer patients in the Pilbara. Reach Us support co-ordinator Jasmin Ashcroft thanked DVFRS. “It just means the world to have the backing of a fantastic community group like that,” she said. “$8000 does go a long way when we are talking about support services for cancer patients. The funds will go to direct support provisions such as cleaning, gardening, counselling, and travel assistance. “Having those kind of fundraising events like what the fireys do for us every year means we know we are going to get a certain amount of funding every year to be able to provide our services. That ongoing viability is so important.” DVFRS volunteer and treasurer Brett Slater said many volunteers had been impacted by cancer in some way, which was typically made more difficult due to the remoteness of living in the Pilbara. “We are actually really excited to have the partnership as it gives us additional purpose when we are doing the fundraising knowing that the proceeds are going to good use,” he said.