Bushfires: How you can help

Megan Flynn
EDITORS' PICKS

In light of the devastating bushfires burning across NSW, many Australian’s have been left wondering how they can help.

There are a number of charities and organisations that are looking for financial and goods donations to help affected communities as well as affected wildlife on the long road to recovery.

READ MORE: TWO MEN AND A UTE MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR BUSHFIRE VICTIMS

READ MORE: COPS CALL FOR HELP IN FINDING FIREBUGS

READ MORE: A NIGHT ON EDGE IN A BUSHFIRE EVAC ZONE

Here is how you can help:

NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICES

You can make a financial donation directly to the RFS via credit card here. You can choose to donate generally to the RFS, or to a specific local brigade, who’s operation rely heavily on individual contributions.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL’S SOCIETY

Vinnie’s members are present in most local communities. Currently they are providing immediate relief packages to bushfire victims. They are asking for financial donations to help supply food, clothing, essentials as well as financial support to those affected. You can donate here.

RED CROSS 

There are currently 60 Red Cross volunteers assisting people in 16 evacuation centres across NSW, their emergency specialists are providing first aid and psychological help. While the generosity of goods is appreciated, Red Cross only accepts financial donations, you can donate via this link. They are also running Register.Find.Reunite to help reunite and find loved ones affected in the emergency.

THE SALVATION ARMY 

The Salvation Army has launched a ‘disaster appeal’. Volunteers are currently at approximately 12 locations across the state, providing meals for the front line responders and evacuees. Your donation will help keep volunteers in these locations for longer.

GOFUNDME

There are a number of GoFundMe fundraisers for various communities across NSW and Australia. To date, a combined total of $300,000 has been donated for around 250 individual fundraisers. To see all the different causes and communities you can donate to, click here.

Image from sky news

PORT MACQUARIE KOALA HOSPITAL

Of course, it isn’t only humans that have been affected by the fires. There are fears that up to 350 koalas have burnt, with 75 per cent of the footprint on the North Coast being prime koala habitat. Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is an animal welfare, scientific research and education facility. Any surviving koala’s, particularly from the North Coast fires will be taken to this hospital for rehabilitation. Currently almost $370,000 has been raised, in which they say they will use to buy automatic drinking stations for the koala’s left in the bushland, as well as to help with rehabilitation of the koala’s at the hospital. You can donate to their GoFundMe page here.

Koala drinking station. (Photo: Supplied)

THE RESCUE COLLECTIVE

The Rescue Collective is helping Koala’s all the way up the NSW Coastline, they say animals are pouring into wildlife hospitals injured, dehydrated and suffering from smoke inhalation. Your donation will help with transport, products and supplies for the rehabilitation of the animals as well as support the carers through the coming weeks.

They have also pulled together a “wish list” with items required to assist koala’s and other animals, this includes drop points for the goods.

Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP) (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS SUPPORT

A number of Australian Business’ are also supporting the communities through different channels.

Australian skincare company, UltraViolette, donated 100% of all profits from website sales from November 13 to the NSW Rural Fire Service.

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Not our usual kind of post, but it is needed. Our home and our country is burning and we cannot watch without doing something – no matter how small. Today (13.11) we are donating 100% of sales through our website to the Rural Fire Service. If you’ve ever thought about purchasing one of our screens and haven’t, this is your day to do it and also help donate to the men and women at the frontline fighting these fires. If you’re not across what’s happening: over 60 fires burning across NSW and QLD, more than 1m hectares of land burnt, 3 human lives lost, 350 koalas dead in one park alone, and hundreds of homes and memories lost. It is, quite frankly, fucked. And you know what doesn’t help fight a fire blazing through your house, destroying everything you love? Thoughts and prayers. #attnscottmorrison

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Wellness company Orchard St. are donating 100% of all profits until midnight November 15 to the Red Cross, Wires Wild Life Rescue and the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Main image by Tatters/Flickr