MAKE sure to have a pocketful of change on Friday morning, to give to local emergency service volunteers roaming the streets collecting for the Good Friday Appeal.

CFA member Stuart Richardson is coordinating the Portland effort again this year, and said volunteers from the CFA, FRV, Coast Guard, and SES be out collecting from 9.30am, and hard to miss.

“We pretty much cover every street in Portland, so if people keep an eye out for the trucks, they’ll see the tin rattlers behind the trucks either going down their street or at the end of it,” Mr Richardson said.

“There are also a couple of other events going on in town to take donations on the day or we’ll be set up at the station too.”

Last year in Portland the CFA collected just under $22,000 for the Appeal, which supports the Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne, and Mr Richardson said they hope to do at least as well this time around.

“It's amazing how many people in Portland have actually either had direct family or sort of extended family or friends that have had kids utilise the service or the hospital.

“It’s too good an asset to not support.”

Down the road in Heywood, new CFA captain Bob Watson said they will also be getting involved in the fundraising.

“We’ll start from about 9am and knock on pretty much every door in Heywood, and then down at the Shell servo we’ll have a couple members there from about 7,” he said.

“If anyone wants to help, they’re welcome to come and join us at the station just before 9.”