Rebuilding after the bushfires.

Published

August 28, 2020

You’re making a difference

Almost $60,000 worth of goods were donated to emergency essentials to people who had to evacuate.

These included:

  • Food, clothing, fuel vouchers
  • Toiletries and medication
  • Swags and air mattresses
  • Trauma therapy kits for children.

Showing kindness in a crisis

In the thick smoke of Victoria’s bushfires, a couple in their nineties were evacuated by air from Mallacoota to a motel in Sale.

With no time to pack, Philip and Marge* left home with just the clothes on their backs. Phil didn’t even have his trusty walking stick.

Our team in Gippsland were contacted by the motel the couple had been evacuated to, seeking assistance on their behalf.

“We were able to arrange medication for them at the local pharmacy,” says Di Fisher who heads up Uniting’s services in Gippsland.

“While their prescriptions were being filled, they were driven to the Uniting op shop and fitted with spare clothes. The team there shared a cuppa with the couple, listening to their story with care and compassion.”

They were also given a personal care package with toiletries and food supplies.

In a follow-up call, Phil and Marge assured us they were safe with family, where they stayed until they could return home. They were extremely grateful for the comfort, care and assistance we provided during a very stressful time.

Your generosity has helped us source more than $435,000 worth of goods and Domayne furniture (through our partnership with Good360) for people living in temporary accommodation who lost everything.

We’re also partnering with the Uniting Church to fund ongoing pastoral care for people who request it.

Finally, we’re working with Plan International – a charity experienced in providing disaster relief.

Plan are working pro-bono to develop a long-term strategy to support families that Uniting are working with in bushfire-affected communities.

Your donations, combined with government and corporate funding, will finance the delivery of our long-term recovery plan.

Donate now to the Spring Appeal, supporting people in crisis.

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