PROACTIVE: Bendigo Bank’s Emma Jackson with an appeal poster. Picture: BRENDAN McCARTHY
BENDIGO residents are being urged to dig deep to help those affected by the Tasmanian bushfires.
Bendigo Bank has launched an appeal to provide relief to those who have lost homes, businesses and income from the fires.
The bank’s media and communications staff member Kim Mawson said similar appeals had been successful.
“In 2007 there were several bushfires in Tasmania and we had a similar appeal,” she said.
“And in 2009 there was more than $8.4 million raised through the Bendigo Bank appeal for Black Saturday.
“Where people can assist we encourage people to call in and make donations and help out those that have lost their homes or are suffering hardship and assist the community.”
Ms Mawson said people often gave strong support to charities.
“Our foundation has raised quite a bit of money to help those in need,” she said.
“People can come into our branches and donate over the counter to one of two Tasmanian appeals or do it by credit card online.”
Ms Mawson said it was hard to say how much money the appeal would raise.
The Red Cross raised about $350,000 in the first 24 hours of its bushfire appeal.
Red Cross executive director Tasmania Ian Burke said more than 2500 people had donated.
“Australians have been quick to respond to this disaster,” he said.
“We greatly appreciate this generosity but more funds will be needed to help the hundreds of people who have lost homes and possessions in the fires.”
The RSPCA said thousands of animals had also been affected by the disaster.
The organisation set up a community register to co-ordinate offers of assistance for affected farmers.
Visit www.bendigobank.com.au/foundation to donate to the bank’s appeal, www.redcross.org.au or call 1800 811 700 for Red Cross donations or visit www.rspca.org.au for the RSPCA appeal.
If you are fund-raising for the Tasmanian Bushfire Appeal please contact the Bendigo Advertiser so we can tell your story.