There is this sick feeling amongst Australians right now–- those of us who aren’t directly affected by the bushfires.
You can feel it at the coffee shop while making small talk with the barista, you could feel it at celebrations of a New Year that felt a little bit wrong, you can feel it as soon as you log into Facebook or Instagram and see the outpouring of desperation. “How do we help?!” is the question we’re all asking.
To those doing it tough right now – fire might not be licking at all of our doorsteps – but Australians are rallying.
You’re not alone.
Thankfully, some compensation has been announced for volunteer firefighters. Post continues after video.
Here are some of the ways fellow Aussies are lending a hand, and some of the ways you can help as the NSW South Coast and Victorian Gippsland prepare for the horror conditions expected today.
In the tennis world, Nick Kyrious is leading the charge.
He started with a plea to Tennis Australia, “surely we can do a pre Open expo to raise funds?,” he asked.
Some are actively collecting their follower’s donations themselves, like NRL commentator Allana Ferguson.
She’s managed to raise $20,000 in 24 hours.
Comedian Celeste Barber, who also launched an online fundraiser for volunteer firefighters, raised more than $2 million in just 24 hours.
Almost 60,000 people from around the world have donated to the cause so far.
“This is out of control! You are all out of control. My love and appreciation for you all is out of control,” Barber wrote on Facebook.
Businesses are doing their bit, where they can, giving their proceeds to bushfire survivors, and charities and the firefighters.
And there are businesses that have been affected that you can directly support yourself, like wine maker Vinteloper in the Adelaide Hills.
Or you could support the whole region – there’s a GoFundMe for that too.
Hundreds of AirBnB hosts are offering stays for free through their Open Homes program in NSW and Victoria. If you’ve got a spare room you can as well, you’ll find their disaster relief page here. This is currently available until January 17.
Australians are rallying for the 480 million animals we’ve lost. The online fundraiser for the koala rescue hospital in Port Macquarie made history at the end of last year, for becoming Australia’s most successful GoFundMe ever.
Of course, there is more work to be done. Now it’s the Mogo Wildlife Park on the NSW South Coast that needs help.
They managed to save their 400 animals over the New Year, but with fire conditions returning tomorrow – they’re again in the firing line.
You can help them here.
Wild 2 Free Kangaroo Sanctuary in Mogo State Forest also needs help, after being devastated by fire. You’ll find them here.
You can help the families of those that we’ve already lost. There’s a GoFundMe underway for firefighters Andrew O’Dwyer and Geoffrey Keaton who died in December fighting blazes near Sydney.
Yesterday a photo of Geoff’s 19-month-old son Harvey broke all of our hearts, with donations up at $385,000 – well on their way to the $500,000 target.
$47,000 has already been raised for the wife and unborn child of firefighter Samuel McPaul in a now closed GoFundMe.
Then there are the big ones, the organisations taking the majority of funds – the ones that need the most help and can spread the money the furthest.
Here is where to find them:
State based fire brigades like the NSW RFS and the Victorian CFA.
… And there’s more.
Mamamia Out Loud, our bi-weekly podcast, is coming to Melbourne for a live show, with 100 per cent of all ticket proceeds going to the Australian Red Cross disaster relief and recovery fund.
It’s a brand new show, full of laughs and news and opinions and a few special surprises, with Mia Freedman, Holly Wainwright and Jessie Stephens, on February the 11th. You can buy tickets right now at mamamia.com.au/events. See you there!
Feature Image: CFA Vic/Brianna Travers.
To support those affected by Australia’s devastating bushfire crisis, you can donate to the Australian Red Cross disaster relief and recovery fund. Your money will go towards supporting thousands of people in evacuation centres, emergency assistance including cash grants to people who have lost their homes, psychological first aid, and helping communities prepare for future disaster.
Top Comments
Legends. All of them.
One thing that might be worth mentioning, often it's preferred to donate money, rather that clothing/furniture etc, especially this early on. The money gives more flexibility, the donation of household goods is better once people have a chance to work out what is needed. Sometimes there's nowhere to store all the donations. Also, a friend of mine in the Canberra area has been posting updates on things the fire crews need, if that's how you'd like to help. Things like snacks/drinks, saline, Chapstick etc. If your local fire crews are involved, it might be worth having a look at their Facebook pages or websites, and seeing if they need supplies. Great article.