Bushfire relief

[bubbleyblossom]

We are currently experiencing the worst bushfires in history, and so many people are losing everything. I am sitting here wanting to do something, I am devastated by what has happened and cannot sit by and not do something..

Can we as an online community band together and do something to help these thousands of people in need? Organise some clothes, food, etc and get it to them? I am up for any ideas, I just have to do something

[melly75]

I know years ago my nanna used to pack up a huge esky full of sandwiches and cold drinks and a few flasks of coffee etc and take them to where the fires were and leave them for the fire fighters as most of them dont eat or get a chance for a drink as they are trying to save property etc. I know if she couldnt get to where the firies were the news crew used to pass it on

[bubbleyblossom]

Thats a great idea, if we have anyone close by we should do that. I think we will do that tomorrow to the Gembrook area

[melly75]

Im in Perth and we dont have any fires at the moment, but I have friends and family in Melbourne.I just hope they're all ok.

As they say firies are often the forgotten ones

[bubbleyblossom]

I know, and I want to do something for them as well

[Out To Pasture]

I thought I'd post the helplines for anyone who maybe concerned about a loved one.

Family Helpline

1800 727 077

Bush Fire Information Line

1800 240 667

[bubbleyblossom]

So, does nobody want to do anything to help?
I honestly thought there would be a bit more of a response!

[bubbleyblossom]

Thankyou for the contact numbers

[jaq]

Hi BB,

Readytogo started a similar thread (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=237410) where there has been a great discussion of practical things you can do ... give blood, as WCM has pointed out, or put together packs of useful household items etc.

And apparently there is an ABC website putting together people who need things and people who want to help.

I think a lot of us are a bit shellshocked at the moment. I can't even look at the sky to the north atm, and every time another helicopter goes overhead, it brings tears to my eyes. All a bit raw right now.

Not sure I'd personally be encouraging people to go up into the fire areas ... they are still fighting the fires in some places, and while the firies DO need all the help they can get, they often say is that the most helpful thing people can do is leave.

Groups like the Red Cross and the like usually have a co-ordinated response to this sort of thing, so they are our best bet.

[bubbleyblossom]

Thanks for that, I wasnt aware of that as I started this thread hours before that thread... kinda irks me in a way actually but thanks

[~Temet Nosce~]

was just about to post all that thanks saved me the effort lol
I would love to help but to be honest their isn't alot I can do, we don't have enough food, blankets or money to donate as we live on minimal ourselves, no room to house more people etc. and I am too far away to go and do anything.
However I will be donating blood if I get the time to.

[~Temet Nosce~]

Thanks for that, I wasnt aware of that as I started this thread hours before that thread... kinda irks me in a way actually but thanks
why does it irk you :confused:

[bubbleyblossom]

I was just a bit upset that I started this thread at 1am and nobody replied, yet a new thread was made at 4am with the same topic and it got four pages of responses... Never mind, as long as something gets done Im happy

[Out To Pasture]

Thankyou for the contact numbers

That's no problem. I saw it on the tv and thought I'd post them just in case.

But like Jaq said, I think people are still kinda numb with whats going on.

I live about 20mins away from one of the minor fires, but about an 1hr away from the bigger ones.
I have alot of family and friends up that way, and I do feel really scared for them. I have done what I can at this point, and know that most of them got out ok. I am actually sheltering a few of them at the moment.
Very full on.

[bubbleyblossom]

I know what you mean.
I'm not proposing that we jump up and run to these people who have been affected with care packages right now, because thats not what they need. What they need is our love and prayers right now. What I was proposing was we get some care packages together or something and contact the right organisations, get it to them and they will distribute.

I'm also numb with what has happened, I just cant sit around and do nothing

[~Temet Nosce~]

It's nothing personal, I just replied to the other thread first because I always hit new posts button and the other thread came up before this one, sometimes threads get missed that way

[Out To Pasture]

During Ash Wednesday my Mother and her best friend were the same, and lent their help to a first aid shelter, they just served food and gave reassuring hugs and conversation, Gave blood that sort of thing.

I haven't heard any news recently on any shelters yet, but it's something I am thinking about doing if I can find one.

[~Temet Nosce~]

Some people are offering to house people in their own homes :yes:

[melly75]

Just got through to my friend.The fires are burning 15kms away from him. 2 of his friends have lost there homes and he said yesterday the sky was black and it ws raining ash ..he said he was just waiting for the 4 horsemen to go riding past it was that scary he thought it was the end of the world.

His house is covered in ash and soot but hes okay for the time being.

Hope everyone over there in and around the fires stay safe and the fireys get some relief soon :yes:

[EmPowering]

i'd like to do something but bit hard when i live up here in qld, hope some people down there can do something:):) even if its just donating a blanket etc.

[bubbleyblossom]

Anything would be great ezza

[Out To Pasture]

Ezza from what we have been seeing on QLD at the moment, you guys have a just as bad situation over there. I mean so much of your state is now under water.

[bubbleyblossom]

Where do u live mimmi?

[Out To Pasture]

Where do u live mimmi?


I live in Ringwood.

I am about 20mins away from the base of Mt Dandenong.
About 20mins away from Ferntree Gully which is a minor fire.

And about 1hr away from the big fires on the otherside of the mountain.
I hear Marysville is on fire as well, thats a short stop in the black spur, which is off the side of the Dandenong Mountains.

My mum lives in Kilsyth which is even closer to the mountain.

But I think considering we will be ok where we are.

Person I am most worried about is my Uncle Stephen, he lives Mount Evelyn. And has come close a couple of times to having his place burnt down.

[bubbleyblossom]

Im not too far from you, Im in Emerald... I work in Heathmont

[Out To Pasture]

Im not too far from you, Im in Emerald... I work in Heathmont


Oh wow! I remember Emerald, went there a couple of times as a little girl to see Puffing Billy *toot toot*

How are things up there with you?

[bubbleyblossom]

Not too bad, just a bit smokey.
Puffing Billy goes past my road

[Out To Pasture]

Not too bad, just a bit smokey.
Puffing Billy goes past my road


I haven't really seen the smoke, but can definatley smell it, made it hard to breathe last night for me. (asthmatic)

[bubbleyblossom]

Eek thats no good... My asthma is okay touch wood, but my eyes kill

[Out To Pasture]

Eek thats no good... My asthma is okay touch wood, but my eyes kill

Yeah last years fires that blanket melbourne, kept my eyes pretty damn sore.

Try washing them out so often with warm water, just clean the ash and what not in your eyes, it wont feel much better, but at least it will stop your eyes from getting infection.

[~Emmylou~]

I've just washed and bundled up a ton of baby and childrens clothes and will be posting them straight down in the morning.

Keep safe everyone...such a horrible, horrible day :(

[bubbleyblossom]

What a lovely gesture Emmylou... I will be going out tomorrow and seeing what I can get together. Will call Red Cross etc and see what I can do as well

[*babygirl*]

pretty random suggestion... but for all those with sore eyes from the smoke in the air... i used to suffer as a child from dry eyes... i used to soak a cotton pad in cold milk and put them on my eyes... will feel a tonne better! especially for the kiddies.:hugs:

[Funkychicken]

Just adding to this thread.

The Red Cross cannot accept goods at this stage, but money donations can be made via this page.

http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/servi...ppeal-2009.htm (http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/services_emergencyservices_victorian-bushfires-appeal-2009.htm)

Blood donations can be organised through this site. Please be aware that you may not get through for some time, so you will need to keep trying until you are placed in a queue.

http://www.donateblood.com.au/

If you have goods to donate, take them to your nearest Salvation Army as soon as you can, taking note not to pile goods outside of closed centres.

http://salvos.org.au/

Donations can also be made though the Bendigo Bank.

http://www.bendigobank.com.au/public...il.asp?nID=537 (http://www.bendigobank.com.au/public/about_us/news/news_dbdetail.asp?nID=537)

Also, donations can be made through the NAB.

http://www.nab.com.au/wps/wcm/connec...re+relief+fund (http://www.nab.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/nab/nab/home/About_Us/8/5/14/NAB+establishes+$1+Million+bushfire+relief+fund)

[muminlove]

Hi everyone, I live in Canberra but Im from Vic originally and all my family and friends are still there.
I am collecting goods in Canberra and hopefully in Brisbane and I will be going from courier service to removal service one after another until I can find one willing to donate space on a truck to Vic, Once there I hope to distribute them via Salvos or something similar but if that doesnt eventuate my friend Miranda and her family and friends will personally be driving donated goods out to affected ares to distribute them. If you are in Brisbane or Canberra and would like to help in any way at all please contact me via pm or txt or call me on 0402 441 887, if you are in Melbourne and have goods you would like to donate, please email mirandamanz@hotmail.com
There is a national phone line set up for monetary donations on 1800 811 700
Thank you in anticipation,
Creenagh xxx

[EmPowering]

Ezza from what we have been seeing on QLD at the moment, you guys have a just as bad situation over there. I mean so much of your state is now under water.
yeah exactely, its so hard im like in the middle of floods and fires its crazy