NEWS RELEASE

7 April 2009

Red Cross bushfire fund tops $2.5 million

While two months have passed since parts of Victoria were devastated by bushfires, New Zealand Red Cross continues to receive donations to help those affected by the disaster.

In the past week donations to New Zealand Red Cross for the bushfire fund have passed $2.5 million. 100 percent of all donations to New Zealand Red Cross for the victims of the bushfires are forwarded to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund, launched in the days immediately following the disaster.

In early March a cheque for $2 million from New Zealand Red Cross was presented to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Australian Red Cross representative Michael Raper. This included the $500,000 donated by the New Zealand government.

Money donated from New Zealand joins over $326 million (NZD) raised in Australia. Money from the fund has been distributed by an advisory panel to those affected by the disaster to help start rebuilding homes, livelihoods and communities. 

With the fires in Victoria now under control, the Australian Red Cross and the Victorian government have decided to close the appeal on Friday 17 April but are continuing to accept donations from previously planned fundraising events until June.

New Zealand Red Cross asks that anybody who has organised a fundraising event to please send their donation to New Zealand Red Cross before 31 May so it can be forwarded to Australian Red Cross in time for their June close off date. After this date New Zealand Red Cross will be unable to accept donations to the bushfire fund.  

ENDS