At least 27 lives lost.
An estimated billion animals killed.
Millions of hectares burnt.
Our country is still burning.
Since September, bushfires have ravaged the country, and it’s in times like these that Australians band together and offer a helping hand. There are many organisations and charities currently seeking financial donations to support those impacted and below are just some.
This is how you can help.
Where you can donate:
National
Australian Red Cross
You can donate to the Australian Red Cross through their ‘Disaster Relief and Recovery’ fund to help support those affected by the bushfires. Your donation to Disaster Relief and Recovery helps in the following ways:
- Supporting people at evacuation centres and recovery hubs
- Emergency assistance (including cash grants to people who have lost homes in these bushfires)
- Longer-term recovery programs in disaster-affected communities
- Essential costs like transport, office space, finance and IT systems
- Psychological first aid to reduce trauma
- Supporting volunteers and covering their expenses
- Helping families and communities prepare for disasters
You can donate to the Disaster Relief and Recovery fund here.
St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies)
Vinnies have launched their bushfire appeal to help support those impacted by the bushfires. Your donation will help provide food, clothing and necessary funds to bushfire victims. To donate click here.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army are appealing for donations to help support bushfire affected communities across Australia by providing meals, assistance and long-term support. You can donate to The Salvation Army’s Disaster Appeal by clicking here.
RSPCA Australia
The RSPCA is currently seeking donations to help animals during the bushfire crisis across Australia. To donate to the RSPCA in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland or South Australia, click here.
World Wildlife Fund
The WWF have set up a ‘help save koalas’ fund page through their website. They are seeking donations to care for injured wildlife and to help restore their homes. You can donate here.
GIVIT
Through the GIVIT website, you can donate funds or items to help support those impacted by the bushfires. Funds donated will go towards purchasing essential items. On the GIVIT website you can search for items needed as a result of the Queensland and New South Wales bushfires. To find out more or to donate click here.
Community Enterprise Foundation (the charitable arm of Bendigo Bank)
Donations can be made at a Bendigo Bank branch or online. You can choose to donate to a national or state/territory appeal. Any donation of $2 or more is tax deductible. For more information and to donate click here.
Queensland
You can donate to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) here.
You can donate to the Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland here.
New South Wales
NSW Rural Fire Service
You can help support volunteer firefighters by either donating straight to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service or to your local fire brigade.
To donate directly to the NSW RFS, please find bank deposit details below:
Bank deposit: Westpac
Account name: NSW Rural Fire Service
BSB: 032-001
ACC No.: 171051
WIRES
The NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) is currently seeking donations through their Emergency Fund. You can donate here.
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
Thousands of koalas in New South Wales have died due to the bushfires. The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital are seeking donations through their Go Fund Me page, where you can find out more information as to how the funds will help.
Victoria
Victorian Bushfire Appeal
The Victorian Bushfire Appeal is a partnership between the Victorian Government, Bendigo Bank and The Salvation Army. You can donate to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal by visiting vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal.
Country Fire Authority Victoria
You can donate to the Victorian CFA here.
Wildlife Victoria
Donations to Wildlife Victoria will be distributed to wildlife shelters and carers across the state to help rebuild equipment and enclosures lost in the bushfires. To donate click here.
South Australia
Kangaroo Island Mayor’s Relief and Recovery fund
You can donate here or by using the following details:
Account name: Mayoral Bushfire Fund
BSB: 105-094
Account number: 035680540
CFS Foundation – South Australia
You can donate to the CFS volunteer firefighters through the CFS Foundation website.
Others
On January 3, Comedian Celeste Barber started up a fundraiser for the NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donation Fund and has so far raised over AUD$50 million. You can donate to her fundraiser here.
Image shared with permission – Daniel Lupton
