The Lismore Flood Appeal Steering Committee has thanked individuals and organisations that donated to the Lismore Flood Appeal as funds now begin to flow to local residents and businesses.
All eligible applicants will receive funds from the Lismore Flood Appeal by 7 July, and applicants who have not heard from the council yet will be notified shortly.
The fundraising effort following the March flood raised more than $450,000 over two months.
Donations came from individuals, businesses and community fundraisers from all across the Northern Rivers and Australia.
The Lismore Flood Appeal received 385 applications including 74 from local businesses and all eligible applicants in flood-affected areas will receive funds to help get back on their feet.
Applicants that requested specific amounts for the purchase of small items had these requests met. The remaining funds were allocated equally between eligible applicants.
Co-chair of the Lismore Flood Appeal Steering Committee, Councillor Eddie Lloyd, thanked the many people who donated and said it would provide much-needed financial support.
‘Reading the applications was heartbreaking – a lot of the applicants had lost everything, or close to it,’ she said.
‘This money will help people get the immediate things they need: a new fridge or washing machine, food, rego for the car, or whatever they need right now to keep ticking along.
‘For many people these funds do not solve the greater problem of buying a house full of furniture, or fixing a flood-affected house, but it will alleviate some financial pressure as they recover.
‘I also think that psychologically, when people receive funds from this appeal, they will know it came from an enormous community fundraising effort. I hope that gives people a real sense that their community is here for them
