Hi all I was wondering if anyone in the UK knows how/where UK people can donate money to help with the bushfire disaster here in Victoria.

I live very close to the affected area and have spent an emotional and exhausting weekend putting up friends who had to pack up and leave their homes, giving a shoulder to cry on for friends who have lost friends and family, and/or lost their homes and all they had. Many Kinglake residents have only the clothes they fled in.
It is the saddest sight to see such a beautiful area razed, and to see friends traumatised, injured and homeless. And the human cost has been enormous - currently over 100 dead and 800 homes gone, but it could be many more yet.

Please, if anyone knows how my Dad and friends in the UK can donate, could you tell me! Big thanks

Im sure there will be a disaster fund set up in uk by one of the banks

You can make donations through the Australian Red Cross website

http://www.redcross.org.au/default.asp

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=590112

Thanks
My Dad can't do online donations so it would be great if Red Cross/UK banks set up a disaster fund. It would make it easy for people to donate cash over the counter who can't do online.

Will keep my eyes peeled on BBC etc websites for a disaster fund in the UK but would appreciate anyone posting any further info.

I've just looked on the Australian Red Cross website and it says you can mail a cheque or money order to GPO Box 9949 in your capital city. So, I would assume he could send a money order made out in Australian funds (easy to get from any bank) to Australian Red Cross, GPO Box 9949 MELBOURNE Vic 3000. Be sure to say it's for the 2009 bushfire appeal.

Red Cross website here: http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/servi...ppeal-2009.htm

I must admit I am not a fan of Red Cross- always find them really unprofessional, so I plan to give via the Salvos.

Their website has a 'how to donate if you are not Australian resident" section.
https://www.salvationarmy.com.au/par...asp?oneoff=yes

Link is at the bottom.

Alternatively they can go to http://www.salvos.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf Click on Donations and Choose to donate to "Australia" and outline in the specifications section that they wish the money to go to the Victorian Bushfire appeal.

All good tips, thanks, will check them out.

Come on the UK banks though, we usually have disaster funds for those affected by earthquakes, tsunami, etc. Bit slow off the mark this time - not everyone can do internet banking and stuff, so let's hope they pull their fingies out soon!!!

I used the Red Cross website yesterday, was very quick and you can use the gift aid tax thingy too where they can claim the tax on your donation, making it more.

Tx

Don't want to put anyone at all off from donating - I think it's brilliant especially from people overseas, but I'd use Salvos not Red Cross. To my mind they spend way too much of the money on admin and salaries which is just plain wrong in my book :curse: They got into massive trouble after the fund raising for the Bali bombings.

I prefer not to donate to organisations with a religious bent, that was my only reason for choosing the Red Cross over the SA. Shouldn't make any difference I suppose as it's all money for those who need it, just my personal preference.I would be disappointed though if a large proportion of any donation was going on admin rather than supplies etc.

OK ignore what I said earlier. Main guy for Red Cross was on TV earlier making a public guarantee that ALL donations would go to the Vic Bushfire Appeal. None would be used for Admin. They appear to have learnt something from Bali. Hope they stand by the statement.

I feel the same way. I usually prefer to give to charities not affiliated with religions, however the Salvation Army does a lot of really good works without shoving their beliefs down your throat. They also helped me tremendously during a really difficult time in my life with care and compassion asking nothing in return at all.

At the end of the day it doesn't matter which charity you give the money to. So long as it reaches the intended recipient that's all that matters.

Couldn't agree with you more. But when I have a choice of charities then I'll go for the non religious ones where possible. Probably a throw back of having religion shoved down my neck as a kid!

Good to see Moneypen's post above though that the full amount will go to those who need it. Good stuff.