South Burnett offers support to those affected by bushfires

In addition, Council has been liaising with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) who have passed on Council’s offer of assistance to both the Queensland Fire Commissioner and the President of the New South Wales Local Government Association.

“On behalf of the South Burnett Regional Council local government area I wish to offer our assistance and support to all those affected. Our region has not been immune from natural disaster and we can appreciate firsthand what these communities are feeling,” Mayor Campbell said.

“We acknowledge and recognise the multi-agency response to these bushfires and the extraordinary actions of the emergency services and in particular the rural fire brigades and volunteers. Their efforts and sacrifice are very close to our heart and they are foremost in our thoughts and prayers.”

“Our Council stands shoulder to shoulder with the communities affected and on behalf of the South Burnett Regional Council we offer our assistance and support to the recovery efforts.” 

“Our community, like many across our Nation, is commencing fundraising and support activities though service groups and charitable associations.”

Mayor Campbell said, “We have been advised that our offer has been well received with thanks, and we have been asked to wait until the current “fire fight” is over to determine what needs might be.”

How can you help?

You can donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund at www.redcross.org.au/bushfires or 1800-RED-CROSS. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Donations support emergency teams in Australia and further afield, including those who are currently responding to fires in New South Wales and Queensland. 

You can also donate by mail to Australian Red Cross, GPO Box 2957, Melbourne VIC 3001.

If you’re wondering whether there are other ways to help, the answer is: absolutely, yes, and thank you.

• Clothing and small homewares can be donated to Red Cross shops https://www.redcross.org.au/support-us/red-cross-shops/shop-locations#!/places/1/distance/5/types/RetailStore/orderby/proximity/page/1 for the Red Cross to on-sell and raise funds for their life-changing work. Please do note, Red Cross are unable to distribute these goods to disaster affected communities.
• Agencies like GIVIT http://www.givit.org.au/ act as a ‘broker’ for donated goods, listing what’s needed and finding a match for the items you might have to give.
• If you want to donate food items, check out Foodbank’s website https://www.foodbank.org.au/?state=qld, as they have been asking for donations of food in bulk to help with their work
• Check out the Red Cross volunteering roles https://www.redcross.org.au/get-involved/connect/volunteer. You’ll need to apply and complete training before you can be sent into an emergency response.
• Or host a garage sale or event to raise funds in your community https://fundraise.redcross.org.au/event/fundraise-for-disaster-relief-and-recovery.

I’d like to raise funds in my community to support Red Cross’ work.

Thank you so much! You can get started by registering your fundraising activity on the Red Cross website: https://fundraise.redcross.org.au/event/fundraise-for-disaster-relief-and-recovery

What does my donation to Disaster Relief and Recovery go towards?

Your donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery helps their emergency teams to do their work – including the bushfires and heatwaves we’re currently seeing and disasters yet to come.

It enables them to give people the support they need in disasters: whether that’s help to prepare, a safe place to take shelter, psychological first aid, information, and practical support through the months and even years it can take to recover. The vast majority of their team are volunteers. The Disaster Relief and Recovery fund covers their costs, including training, equipment and transport as well as the coordination effort to ensure their teams are where the community needs them to be. They’re passionate about keeping their costs low to ensure every donation goes as far as possible.

How much are you taking out of donation for admin fees?

As of 1 July 2019, Red Cross will not deduct more than 10% from funds raised to cover administration costs (to cover supports such as our IT, human resource and finance teams).

While it costs Red Cross more than this to support their operations, they are committed to maximising the direct use of funds generously donated to their emergency relief and recovery work.

Why are you using a Give Easy donation page at the moment?

Red Cross are continuing to investigate and make changes in the backend of their donation forms and while this process takes place and while there is significant appetite from donors to support their disaster relief and recovery work, Red Cross have opted to use a Give Easy donation page so that donations could still be made.

Give Easy is an established partner of Australian Red Cross and they have used their donation platform for several years. Give Easy is a safe, reliable and secure way for people to donate to the Red Cross work. 

For further information on how you can donate contact Red Cross direct on www.redcross.org.au/bushfires or 1800-RED-CROSS.