Salvation Army bushfire appeal hits $2.9 million

The Salvation Army would like to thank the Australian public for the overwhelming support and generosity to our Bushfire Relief Appeal, with $2.9 million in donations tallied so far.

“Our thoughts are with everybody across New South Wales at this very difficult time. The Salvation Army is supporting as many people as possible. It’s a distressing time for many people," says Salvation Army spokesperson Major Jeff Winterburn. "It is amazing how time and time again, Australians pull together during times of great devastation."

The Salvation Army is responding to increased fire activity across New South Wales. Emergency Services crews are on hand at Minmi in the Hunter where they are providing meals and beverages to approximately 150 fire-fighters who are battling a new blaze in that area.

Salvation Army personnel and volunteers are also feeding fire-fighters at Yarramundi.  Meals, beverages and support is being offered to affected residents at evacuation centres at Penrith, North Richmond and Lithgow.

“The situation is changing very quickly right now,” says Salvation Army Emergency Service Director Norm Archer. “We have been preparing for these adverse fire conditions and now we are putting that preparation into action.

“We have people on hand feeding people affected by these fires and also the fire-fighters and other emergency services personnel who are doing such a heroic job responding to this disaster.”
Other Salvation Army Emergency Service crews in western Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter are on stand-by to respond if the situation escalates.

The Salvation Army would like to thank the Australian public for the overwhelming support toward the Bushfire Appeal.

"Australian business and corporatations have been so generous," says Major Winterburn. "We'd like to thank Woolworths, Target, Westpac, Johnson & Johnson, Mr & Mrs Henry Ngai of ABC Tissues (Quilton) and the Western Australian Government for their generous donation and ongoing support."

People can donate to the Bushfire Appeal by calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58), online at salvos.org.au, or in person at any Woolworths store, Westpac Branch or Target outlet. Woolworths are matching public donations dollar for dollar.