Local aid launched for Australia

Sunday 26 January 2020

Two Deputies have been working with the Red Cross to launch an appeal to help support communities currently suffering through the Australian Bush Fires.

The money raised will be channeled through the Red Cross, in to the Red Cross in Australia, which is currently helping lead relief and support efforts across the country.

The idea arose as more and more people in Guernsey started to speak about their friends or family who have been affected by the devastating fires. 

Guernsey does already send money to some of the world's poorest communities through the Overseas Aid and Development Commission, but obviously Australia is not  included on their list, and so Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq - Guernsey's Minister for External Affairs - and Deputy Barry Paint decided to set up a way for islanders to express their solidarity with Australia in a tangible way. 

Pictured: Australia has been burning for months now, displacing huge amounts of people and wildlife alike. 

"Deputy Barry Paint and I are glad we have found a way through the Red Cross of helping islanders give towards those suffering through the Australian bush fires. We feel it is fitting in the year Guernsey celebrates its 75th Liberation that we remember that it was the Red Cross with its SS Vega in particular that came to the rescue of needy, starving islanders near the end of five years of occupation," Deputy Le Tocq said.

"Many of the boxes of food and goods came from antipodean donors, so it feels absolutely right that we should support Australians through the Red Cross now and we thank the local branch for their assistance. We are also grateful to the Bailiff who has given his support to this appeal.”

Deputy Paint added: "So many locals have been contacting me to see what could be done to help,” comments Deputy Paint “I already have very generous offers of support so I’m delighted we have found a means to channel these funds appropriately through the Red Cross to those who urgently need help in Australia.”

'Australia Day' is being observed on Monday 27 January 2020, and so the appeal has been launched to coincide with it.

Caroline Edwards, Head of the Guernsey branch of the Red Cross said: “We are pleased to be able to launch this appeal and to assist islanders in expressing their support and solidarity with those affected by the crisis in Australia. The Australian Red Cross is heavily involved distributing aid and providing help to those in need. People can donate through our till here at the Rohais shop and we can take cash, cheque and card donations which will be directed straight to Australia so long as the donor requests the Australian Appeal at the till point.” 

Pictured: The Bailiff said this was an ideal way for the island to support the Commonwealth. 

The Bailiff also welcomed the opportunity for local people to contribute to the Red Cross Appeal.  He said he had watched with horror the television coverage of the devastation and destruction caused by the bush fires which have been raging so fiercely for so long and may yet continue as the season is not over.  Sir Richard commentedr: “Islanders’ generosity and support for those in need both at home and around the world is well known. This appeal offers an ideal way for local people to make a difference by supporting our Commonwealth cousins on the other side of the world in their time of need.”

Donations can be made by cash or cheque (making it clear that the gift is towards the “Australian Appeal”) directly to the Red Cross either by post or in person at their local branch. Direct online payments can also be made by clicking here. 

Pictured top: Deputies Jonathan Le Tocq and Barry Paint.