Help Australian volunteer firefighters!

This is what we published in today's news on The Central App:

The Central App has received the sincere thanks on behalf of hundreds of donors from the various Australian states’ volunteer firefighting organisations which received donations through the bushfire crisis crowdfunding page which ran earlier this year.

The Central App’s Marielle Craighead began the Givealittle page at the start of January with the hopes of raising whatever she could to help volunteer organisations in the Australian states of New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (Vic) and Queensland (Qld).

In four weeks, 817 donors had donated the grand sum of NZ$52,449, with people as young as eight and some well into old age.

Spark took their cut through the Givealittle crowdfunding page, which brought the total donation down to NZ$51,000, and that total was equally shared between the three volunteer firefighting services of each state, equating to NZ$17,000 each.

Marielle said the story of how she started the page was a moment of shock.

“I set up the Givealittle page after waking to a golden haze on New Year's Day, which progressed to a smoke filled day,” she said. “Smoke from bushfires over 2,000km away, which we could not only see, but smell! The fires had been burning quite a while already, of course, but this was the final "kick up the butt" I needed.”

The Central App’s Marielle Craighead started the crowdfunding page as a way to help out during the Bushfire Crisis, and the page quickly received hundreds of donations from around the world. Image courtesy Pixabay.

Marielle said she was touched by the messages which poured in with the donations and explained all donors’ messages have been forwarded to the Australian rural fire authorities so they can share them with their teams.

“From the person who said they were a pensioner and couldn't afford much, but still donated $20, to the young eight-year-old who had sold her baking and raised over $400, to the English Language School in Auckland who set a target of $2,000 but raised a whopping $2,520, to the $1 donations - every dollar counted,” she said.

“Some came from right here, some from Ohio, USA and Germany – and Australia. Some came via our co-fundraisers, who had decided to raise funds in their groups and clubs and donate to our cause.

“The largest of those was the Wanaka Aussie Aid page, which raised $6,378 through their Givealittle page - this on top of what they raised at the concert. All reduced me to tears of gratitude. We were making a difference. A big difference!”

Some local retail businesses even had coin donation tins at their counters throughout the fundraising period.

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service & Brigades (NSW RFS) greatly accepted the donation.

“This donation is accepted with much gratitude and you can be assured that it will be utilised to support our volunteer rural firefighters and members, whose energy and commitment contribute to protecting and supporting NSW communities,” the letter, signed by the NSW RFS chief financial officer said.

“Please convey our sincere thanks to the 800 people an companies for their kind and generous donation made to The Trust.”

The Victorian Country Fire Authority & Brigades (CFA) wished to convey their sincere thanks.

“On behalf of the Country Fire Authority, we sincerely thank you for your support of our organisation during this challenging fire season,” the letter said.

“Our volunteers are from the community, to serve the community, and donations from the public greatly assist us in our mission to protect lives and property.

“CFA appreciated your acknowledgement of the commitment and dedication of Victoria's volunteer firefighting force.”

Marielle, who forwarded some of the kind words sent by donors to the firefighters, said the Queensland Rural Fire Service is yet to send their letter of thanks but has communicated the have received their donation.

“I would like to thank Westpac Alexandra who have generously waived their transfer fees,” she said.

“Above all - thank you to everyone. Again, cliché - but the words "thank you" seem so insignificant to acknowledge what you have all done! I know the volunteers who have worked in some terrifying conditions, fighting fires for days without a break will be very grateful.”