THE victims hit hardest by the Gippsland fire are set to receive a flood of support from Australians with the launch of a relief appeal.
The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund has been set in motion to directly aid community members affected by the fierce fires which continue to devastate Victoria’s Gippsland district.
The fast-moving inferno has already claimed one life, 21 houses, 11 vehicles and 40 sheds after engulfing the towns of Dawson, Glenmaggie, Seaton, Heyfield and Licola.
Firefighters are now working on a 180ha backburn, south of Glenmaggie and northwest of Heyfield ahead of hot weather predicted for Thursday and Friday.
The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund president John Mitchell said preliminary assessment of the damage also revealed more than 17 houses, extensive shedding, fencing and livestock had been ravaged by the ongoing blaze.
"As a community organisation, we are well placed to provide rapid support to our fellow Gippslanders in their times of need,” he said.
“I call on all Gippslanders and the wider community to dig deep now and help, either by making a direct cash donation or running a fundraising event"
He said all donations would help meet the immediate needs of victim’s severely impacted by the fierce fires, such as supplies including food, clothing, utensils, furniture and bedding, as well as support to help children return to school, instead of capital items which are likely to be covered by insurance or government aid.
Donations to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund can be made in person, by mail or online.
Donations can be made at:
- All National Australia Bank branches and depositing into account: BSB – 083 932, Account number – 048299080
- Via post to Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund, PO Box 508, Traralgon, Victoria, Australia, 3844
- Via PayPal by following the link on the GERF website – www.relieffund.org.au
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