Gary Porter, Barbara Green, John Mahedy, Tania Dixon, Ray Hall, Fr. Novelito Lim, Brendan Shingles, Sarah Porter, Carol Purdon and Colette Porter have decided to support the island with their new charity the Aneityum Island Community Fund.
AICF founder and secretary Gary Porter said the group had a long list of goals to achieve on the island.
“They have had a really difficult time over the last couple of years: no income suddenly or an option to earn from elsewhere, no government assistance at all, dangerous food shortages, supply ship shortages, and along with four major natural disasters this year alone in 2022, they need real and urgent help,” Mr Porter said.
Key goals are to advance the destination’s health, education and social and public welfare, with initial activity having already seen an urgent food relief package comprising 25 tonnes of rice, sugar and flour delivered, along with new seeds to replace crops that were inundated in recent flooding due to tropical cyclone Gina in May this year.
Two major fundraisers will be held each year, including the currently running lottery.
The major prize comprises an all-expenses paid 10-night holiday in Vanuatu for up to six people, or alternatively $60,000 in travel credits.
Second prize is $22,000 worth of gold-minted Kangaroo coins or a $22,000 travel credit, and the third prize is similar but valued at $11,000.
Tickets are currently selling at $40 each.
The profits from the fundraiser will total around $455,000 and will be used to buy life-changing small earthworks machinery, medical equipment, farming items, tsunami sirens, and generators.
For more information and to support the initiative see www.aneityumisland.com or call Gary Porter on 0447 061 449.
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