Coming together to raise $100,000 for bushfire victims
Published on 15 January 2020
We were devastated to follow the news of the catastrophic bushfires that continue to burn across NSW and Victoria, and to hear of the tragic deaths of two of our own Horsley Park volunteer firefighters just before Christmas.
That’s why Council decided to turn its Illuminate New Year’s Eve event into a major fundraiser for communities impacted by the fires.
Council has donated 100 per cent of all the entry fees to its Illuminate event and has matched dollar for dollar all donations collected from the community. I want to thank the Leos from Cabramatta Lions Club who collected donations on the night, and to the community for participating in the fundraiser and donating so generously.
I am so proud to say that Council, along with local clubs Cabra-Vale Diggers, Mounties, Smithfield RSL and St Johns Park Bowling clubs; as well as The Australian Chinese Association and the Mingyue Lay Buddhist Temple in Bonnyrigg; and the wider community have raised $85,000 so far. We aim to raise $100,000 to support communities affected by the devastating bushfires.
The funds raised will go to the families of the two RFS volunteers from Horsley Park Brigade, Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew O’Dwyer who tragically lost their lives shortly before Christmas; the Salvation Army Disaster Appeal; and the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal assisting with treatment of animals impacted by the fires.
Council is accepting donations from the community with collection tins at Bonnyrigg, Fairfield, Wetherill Park and Whitlam libraries; Cabravale, Fairfield and Prairiewood leisure centres; and at Fairfield City Council’s Administration Centre, Wakeley.
Every bit helps, no matter how big or small, and I encourage you to donate and support those communities in crisis.
I am so proud of the contributions the community has made so far, whether through donations of money, food, supplies and even handmade pouches for injured and displaced animals. The generosity of the community encompasses the great community spirit we have here in Fairfield.
