BUSINESSES and individuals from across the region are doing their part to help people devastated by the bushfire crisis crippling Australia.
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Across the twin towns, there are plenty of ways for you to get involved.
PAULINE ROONEY
PAULINE Rooney is all too familiar with the emotional and physical devastation left by bushfires.
After the catastrophic Kinglake bushfire in 2009, Pauline and other volunteers ran meditation and yoga classes for women who’d been caught up in the fires.
The yoga had to be kept to its most basic as some women had been so badly burned.
Pauline said it was one of the most traumatic jobs she'd experienced in her entire life, and she's seen lingering trauma in victims.
"It's the emotional scars that live on", she said.
During the current bushfire crisis, Pauline has been praying for the safety of her 90-year-old yoga teacher, Joy McIntosh, who lives near the fire-affected town of Batemans Bay.
Meanwhile, dear friends of hers lost their home in the Cobargo fire.
So to contribute in her own way, Pauline is running yoga classes on the next three Wednesdays in January from 5-6pm, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to the Bendigo Bank Fire Appeal.
The classes will be held at Echuca Senior Citizens Centre and people of all ages and experience are welcome.
Entry is $10 and the sessions will be held on Wednesdays, January 15, 22 and 29.
KASOOBI
ECHUCA local Sarah Maddison is teaming up with Kasoobi and the Collab Society in a bid to raise funds for the National Bushfire Disaster Appeal.
The organisations will combine to run a week-long auction starting today (Friday) via Instagram involving close to 50 items which have been collaborated from a range of businesses across Australia.
The auction can be found on Instagram @officialbushfireauction.
All items have a listed starting price.
MADDIE’S CHOP SHOP, INHALE AND EXHALE
MADDIE’S Chop Shop combined with Inhale and Exhale are set to donate 100 per cent of their earnings to charity on Saturday as part of the bushfire cause.
Inhale and Exhale is hoping to be booked out fully with clients between 9am and 4pm, while Maddie’s wants to see walk-ins throughout the day.
Burrumbuttock Hay Runners is one of the nominated charities with the other to be announced on the day.
LOTTI WATERSON
LOTTI Waterson, alongside her friend Jazz Hone are set to host a bake sale this Saturday to help raise much needed funds for the bushfires.
The event will take place at 66 Hume Street, Echuca starting at 9am with everything from cakes, cookies and slice set to be on sale for $2 each.
All proceeds raised will go to the Red Cross Foundation.
NEED FOR FEED
A Lions Club initiative since 2006, Need for Feed is currently collecting hay and other supplies for those in need.
All hay, as well as 100 per cent of cash donations are being delivered to those most in need at this time, with trucks regularly taking supplies to the areas who need them most.
Through Need for Feeds website – needforfeed.org - you can donate money, fodder, or even your time.
The club will also arrange to collect any fodder from you to take where it is most needed.
CARIAD CREATIONS
AS Ellen Weeks and her family have been trying to make the move from Cobram to Echuca, giving to those in need has also been a big goal.
Using her brand Cariad Creations, Weeks has raised over $1000 for the bushfire cause by selling 170 decals for people’s cars – when she had started with a target of 100 items.
But the demand was too big for her to handle, before she eventually turned to her craft friends on Facebook for support on Wednesday morning.
And suddenly with their combined efforts the group have gone onto raise over $3000.
Weeks plans to restart selling the products once her family is settled in the twin towns.
FITMOB
FITMOB Echuca wants to help people affected by the Victorian bushfires by helping people in the twin towns.
Owner Shannon Fink has been auctioning three different membership-based packages through the business’ Facebook and Instagram pages to raise funds.
The packages include various options such as Apple airpods, diet plans and personal training sessions.
“We might not be directly affected in Echuca-Moama, but it does break your heart to see what people have lost,” Fink said.
“The smallest thing we are able to do is donate to those who have been left with nothing.”
Fink and Fitmob are set to donate all funds to CFA Victoria and the Red Cross Appeal.
The organisation is hoping to raise around $2500 for the cause.
F45 TRAINING ECHUCA
F45 TRAINING Echuca is set to raise money for those in need WITH a fun filled ‘‘Heroes Hollywood’’ day on Saturday, January 18.
The centre is set to open their doors to members and non-members as they aim to raise much needed funds for those impacted by bushfires, charging just $5 per session.
Everyone is asked to wear blue to symbolise rain and the ‘‘true blue’’ Aussie spirit.
As well as the classes, F45 plans to auction off an eight-week challenge program.
COHUNA RETIREMENT VILLAGE
THE staff at Cohuna’s retirement village will be turning yellow next week for their local CFA.
The fundraiser is the brain child of nurse Tom Conlan and will see staff wearing as much yellow as they can stomach from Monday to Friday for the low, low price of $5.
Respect Cohuna Village admin officer Aimee Lunghusen said the village’s staff decided to have a yellow week rather than a yellow day so all workers could be included.
“It was something for us to do for the local CFA, which will go towards everything the CFA does,” she said.
“Village residents can get involved too if they like but it will mainly be staff taking part.”
If all of the village’s 60 staff get involved Aimee said they stood to make a “few hundred dollars” off the back of such a simple fundraising idea.
All money raised will be donated to the Cohuna CFA Brigade.
BUNDARRA BERKSHIRES
BUNDARRA Berkshires in Barham are chipping in for the bushfire appeal.
The free-range pig farm is donating 10% of profits from their online sales to the NSW Rural Fire Service, until their target is reached.
The farm’s owner, Lauren Mathers says she feels for the volunteer firefighters who are under resourced and putting their lives on the line.
“Although we can’t do much, every little bit counts.”
COLBINABBIN COUNTRY HOTEL
COLBINABBIN Country Hotel is hosting a benefit concert for the bushfire appeal with 100 per cent of proceeds going to the Red Cross and Wildlife Victoria.
Featuring live music from Milkwood and other local acts, afternoon tea and a silent auction, there’s something for everyone.
The Hotel will also be chipping in with $1 from every pot sold until 6pm to be donated to the cause.
Local caterers, Cornella Care, are providing afternoon tea, and drinks from the bar will be flowing all afternoon.
It all kicks off at 2pm this Saturday, January 11, at the Colbinabbin Country Hotel, 18 Mitchell St, Colbinabbin.
ECHUCA MOAMA PURR-FECTION CATTERY
AS VOLUNTEER firefighters put their worlds on hold to save lives, one Moama cattery is offering to do what they do best in support.
Cats left in limbo while owners rush off to the frontlines have been offered a free spot at the Echuca Moama Purr-fection Cattery.
Several of the cattery’s ‘luxury suites’ have become free as locals cut short their holidays.
Owners Margaret (pictured) and Tony Wallace said if there was space available anyone travelling to support relief efforts would be accepted.
“There are a lot of people from Echuca-Moama who are going up to help and they might be thinking ‘we can’t afford to put our cat in a cattery’ but we’ll do it for free,” Margaret said.
“We can’t do anything to help the fires – they don’t want people our age up there, we would be more of a hindrance than a help, but we’d be happy to help here by looking after their cats.”
Call Echuca Moama Purr-fection Cattery at 2 Graham St, Moama or 0491 619 170.
NOURISHNourish has created its ‘Ruby Relief’ smoothie, and is donating 100 per cent of the sales to the bushfire appeal, with the promotion running until Saturday.
ANYTIME FITNESS
Started on Tuesday, Anytime is running a collection container at the front of the office. After putting in the $500 in the til, the club is aiming to raise $2500 through donations for the Red Cross.
PRICELINE HARE ST
As well as collecting financial donations through its register, Priceline is accepting water donations.
TARAS HOTEL
Taras will be donating all proceeds from its Friday night raffle, as well as $2 from every parma sold, to the cause.
NEXT
Next Level gym is aiming to raise $5000 for those affected by the bushfires crippling Australia.
Those wishing to donate can do so via the organisation’s Facebook page or donation tins at either the Cohuna or Echuca-Moama branches.
SEVEN BEANSSeven Beans have set up a bushfire donation jar on the front counter and will also be selling raffle tickets for a $25 voucher, to be drawn in a week’s time.