The Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland Disaster Recovery Trust has launched an appeal to raise funds following the devastating bushfires in Australia.
The Trust collates donations and makes grants to Rotary projects working to rebuild communities affected by natural disaster in the medium to long-term. As such, the Trust’s Bushfire Appeal is a non-emergency appeal.
For those wishing to donate to immediately support the ongoing efforts, a separate online appeal has been created by Rotary in Australia.
Fires have been burning across the country for over 4 months, and to date have destroyed over 63,000 sq km of bush, forest and parks.
How to donate
If you would like to support the Disaster Recovery Trust (charity number 1119688), you can:
- Donate to the Australian Bushfire appeal via our Virgin Money Giving online payment option.
- Send a cheque – Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland Disaster Recovery Trust, Kinwarton Road, Alcester, B49 6PB
- Contact the Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland Finance department for bank transfer information
The true extent of the Australian fires
Fires have been burning across the country for over 4 months, and to date they have destroyed over 63,000 sq km of bush, forest and parks and affected every Australian state and territory, and a number of major cities.
It is also estimated that almost 2,000 houses have been destroyed, according to the BBC.
As well as damage to the land and environment, the death toll currently stands at 25 people, as well as millions of animals who have also perished in the blaze, which will leave a lasting impact on the country’s biodiversity.
Record temperatures of over 40C and long periods of drought have exacerbated the spread the fire across the country. Despite some recent rains and cooler temperatures, the fires are expected to continue.
“Australia, with a three degree temperature rise, frightens the hell out of me.”
The captain of a fire service in rural New South Wales says his team are seeing fires on a scale they’ve never seen before – and that the evidence it is due to climate change “is overwhelming”. pic.twitter.com/s5PkOj9U1b
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) January 7, 2020
About the Disaster Recovery Trust
The Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland Disaster Recovery Trust (formerly known as the Donations Trust) is a registered charity, established in 2007, which collates donations and makes grants to Rotary projects working to rebuild communities in the medium to long-term, following natural disasters.
Since then the charity has continued its work with the purpose of responding to major disasters at home and abroad in the reconstruction phase following a disaster.
Typical projects include constructing and equipping school and community centres, rebuilding infrastructure and providing rescue vehicles. The Trust is not a first or emergency responder.
During the last 12 months, the Trust launched an appeal following Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, which collected over ÂŁ44,000, as well as reopening a long-standing UK and Ireland flood appeal.
How to apply for funding
Rotary clubs are eligible to apply for funding from the Disaster Recovery Trust to create and implement sustainable, community development projects for areas recently affected by disasters.
For more information on how to apply for funding, please visit the Disaster Recovery Trust page within My Rotary. Please note this area is only accessible to Rotary members.
