Rotary Club of Narrabri seeks support for flood appeal

The Rotary Club of Narrabri is hitting the street to raise money for flood-affected communities on the north coast.

A successful street stand was held on Friday and Saturday, with almost $3000 being raised.

This is in addition to the $5000 promised by the Narrabri club.

Rotarians will again set up a stand on Friday and Saturday at the Maitland Street pedestrian crossing, near MJ’s Newsagency, and are seeking the community’s support.

The local appeal has been spearheaded by club member Chris Cole.

President Darrell Tiemens said the club hoped to raise at least $10,000 for Rotary Australia’s Flood Appeal Fundraiser.

“When we were operating our Neighbours in Need initiative during one of the toughest droughts our community has ever seen, Rotary clubs from all over Australia made significant contributions to our cause,” Mr Tiemens.

“We had donations come from as far as Tasmania, and these donations were in the thousands of dollars.

“Given the support we received from our fellow Rotarians in our time of need, we feel it’s only fair that our Narrabri club steps in to support communities which have been devastated by this natural disaster.”

Rotary’s fundraising appeal will contribute funds directly to the service organisation’s charitable arm, Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS).

“The money raised from the appeal will go directly and quickly to support those impacted, providing essential items and financial support where disaster relief and insurance claims won’t stretch,” said RAWCS chief executive officer Andrew Woodward.

“The number of disasters Australians have endured in the last few years in addition to the pandemic have been significant and left a lot of people in very difficult financial positions.”

RAWCS has previously raised money for bushfire and drought-affected areas and sees this disaster as another where the network of Rotarians can step in to assist.

Mr Woodward said that he expects the money to help people with the things that insurance or disaster relief funds cannot replace. Whether it be helping farmers build new fences or providing food and clothing to those who have lost everything, the money raised will be crucial in helping families get back on their feet as soon as possible.

RAWCS is a not-for-profit charity that aims to be the leading Australian charitable organisation for people’s wellbeing, supporting Rotarians and Rotary clubs undertaking humanitarian projects in Australia and overseas.

To support the Rotary Club of Narrabri’s appeal, you can contact Chris Cole on 0419 623 878. Tax-deductible donations to the nationwide appeal can be made on the RAWCS website.