By Parker McKenzie
Residents throughout the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley have generously donated towards a charity drive for people affected by floods in New South Wales and Queensland, with plans to drive a donated truck full of essential items to those in need.
Ann Harper, who helped organise the charity drive, said she intended to collect donations from close friends and family before the wider community became involved.
“At that time they still hadn’t received any help from the government,” she said.
“I was just completely heartbroken and crying, so I woke up the next day and made a post on Facebook, with the intention of collecting from close friends and family.”
The result is between 20 and 30 people calling Ms Harper an hour, hoping to donate goods, money and essential items to those in need.
“We’re just a bunch of mums wanting to help out,” Ms Harper said.
“The most urgent things needed are cleaning products, mop buckets, squeaky sponges, vinegar for the mould, laundry products and baby stuff,” she said.
“One of the other things requested at the moment is fuel, because up North I think they are still quite short on it.”
She said people donating fuel should ensure it is safely contained within a jerry can and people shouldn’t donate any more clothing or pillows.
Ms Harper said on Monday 14 March a truck will be packed with the donations before travelling near to affected areas to donate the items to those who need them.
“Truck drivers out there are not working at the moment, so we’ve been quite inundated with truck drivers volunteering their time as well,” she said.
“People need to reach out and the community can help because it’s a win-win situation for everyone. You help someone and they actually helped you with healing and empowering.”
Cockatoo resident Nicki Lyons is assisting Ms Harper is gathering donations from people in the Dandenong Ranges.
She said people have been incredibly generous with their donations.
Community is the most important thing and even so we’re down here, and these people are 17 hours away from us,” she said.
“We do actually all have a lot of friends personally that have been impacted.”
Ms Lyons said she has pointed people offering cash donations towards charities assisting people in the area.
“I’ve certainly provided links to people of reputable charities that I like very much,” she said.
“Charities that are raising funds for specific communities. There have also been fundraisers going around for the helicopters that they’ve got in the air that have been trying to reach people who are cut off.”
She said it has been humbling to see the beautiful and generous side of the local community.
“It’s a shame that it brings events like this for people to do this,” she said.
“People are really realizing that it’s important to support one another.”
People interested in donating to the efforts should contact Ana on 0400 8545 887 before Monday 14 March, with the truck leaving Melbourne on 16 March.
