Rochelle hopes to raise the stakes

By Marc McGowan
LANG LANG’s first lady of fundraising Rochelle Baker has devoted her life to honouring the memories of her mother and grandmother.
Her mother, Sue, and grandmother, Margorie, were extremely successful area coordinators for Lang Lang’s annual Good Friday Appeal for many years before Ms Baker, 19, took over.
“I feel like they’re watching over me and that they’re very proud,” she said.
“I love doing it; it is a fantastic thing helping the community out. It’s just great.”
Ms Baker has been involved in the appeal for the majority of her life, and since becoming the area coordinator has been just as successful as her predecessors.
Her brother Courtney, 21, joins her in the generous pursuit as an assistant.
“We do different things, but this is the time where we get to talk and help each other out,” Ms Baker said.
Together they are hoping to raise up to $6000 for this year’s campaign.
“When my Nan passed, one of our family took over for a couple of years and I just said when she doesn’t want to do it any more, I’ll take over,” Ms Baker said.
“I didn’t want anyone else to do it. I wanted to take the reins over and get it as big as my Nan.”
But her volunteering does not end there.
Ms Baker is also an avid member of the Country Fire Authority and played her part in the ferocious summer.
“My mum and dad (Graham) were in (the brigade), so I’ve grown into it,” she said.
“It’s been pretty busy over the last few months with the fires, but it’s good helping the community out that way.”
But it is her Good Friday Appeal work that Ms Baker is concentrating on for now and she is urging the local residents to help out.
“It’s a great feeling – I love doing it. It’s so much fun trying to raise money for the kids,” she said.
“Get behind your community for Good Friday. Give a little and help the kids.”
If anyone is interested in joining Rochelle Baker in helping raise money for the Good Friday Appeal, she can be contacted on 0407 544 335.