The devastation that has taken place with the March 2022 floods has left many people wanting to help and donate.
There are a number of flood appeals that are being set up for people to donate to but it is important that they are legitimate and can be trusted to distribute to those in need.
Commissioner for NSW Fair Trading Rose Webb said unfortunately scammers often try to take advantage of vulnerable people during times like these. She urged consumers to be on the alert. This incudes anyone who undertakes work to rebuild homes.
The Echo will continue to update this page with legitimate flood appeals as they are alerted.
Lismore City Council – Flood Fund
Lismore City Council has announced they have set up a Flood Fund for public donations to help with disaster recovery and community support.
To help with our flood-affected community, you can donate to the Lismore Flood Appeal by direct bank transfer.
The bank details are:
Name: Lismore City Council – Flood Appeal Account
BSB: 062 565
Account:10864633
Echo Northern Rivers 2022 Flood Donation appeal
The Echo has started the Echo Northern Rivers 2022 Flood Donation appeal, a flood appeal to help those affected by the recent devastating floods in our region.
‘We will distribute funds as quickly as possible, after consultation with community organisations actively helping people affected by the 2022 flooding, such as the Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre in the north of Byron Shire, Byron Community Centre and organisations in Lennox Head, the Byron Hinterland, and Ballina, and Lismore,’ said General Manager Simon Haslam.
‘The Echo has been established for over 30 years in this community, and will distribute 100% of donations without any deduction. We will prioritise organisations who also directly distribute these monetary donations without charging any fees. This page is not for coordination of, or donations of goods or services, we are simply raising money to help the community organisations on the ground. These funds are much needed, and give great flexibility to community organisations to target aid for people, like the homeless, who sometimes fall outside government guidelines.’
Food Relief Cook Up
The Food Relief Cook Up is accepting donations to cook and distribute food to people throughout the Northern Rivers. Yesterday, March 5, they distributed 10,000 hot meals to those in need.
The group has seen a huge group of chefs and hospitality people come together ‘from practically every restaurant and bakery etc in the area’ to deliver meals. They are being supported not only by locals who are driving meals throughout the region to people in need but have managed to get five helicopters on board to deliver to those who are unable to get out of their homes.
Are any of these donation options tax deductible?
We live in such a caring community, everyone shines in an emergency. Such a shame the blokes in charge can’t raise their standards to match those in country communities pulling together to help each other in times of great hardship.
Thank you to everyone helping out!!
Will the Lismore flood fund be as incompetently administered as the the last one set up for cyclone Debbie, when it was decided that no help would be given to any flood victims outside of a few randomly selected areas inside Lismore city ?
Don’t donate to these poorly run charities , your money will be wasted. Remember how all that money was raised for fire victims but was squandered on the RFS ?
Donate to victims directly or where you see a need for a service because these councils and SES, Lifesavers etc. Have had years to prepare and plan, but have nothing to show for it.
Help your community directly, Cheers G”)
I would like to donate money but was goin to give to Lismore Council but bit worried it will not go to the deserving public. Please give me some advice on who I can donate to who will be trusted. If can transfer to a bank account would be great. Patricia
I don’t live anywhere near Lismore but would also like to make a donation. Lismore City Council has a bank account to donate to BUT. I also want to make sure it will really go to those in need NOW and not just into a fund that will not be distributed for years.
Please also add how to check a GoFundMe is legitimate. There are people who have had compounding affects before the floods. People like myself have set up GoFundMes to help our friends. So much talk of rip offs is hampering that process. Often government funds don’t do where they are needed most or spread so thing it barely makes a difference.
Sarah, ask Peter Dutton, our champion for GoFundMe disasters help.
You can receive a tax deductible receipt from donations to Byron Community Centre’s Flood Relief Fund.:
https://byroncentre.com.au/donations/flood-relief-fund/
Or direct deposit:
Account name: BBCB Fund
BSB: 082-707
Acc No.: 359536071
100% of your donation will go towards local community organisations who are working on the ground to provide emergency relief and support.
Donations are made through the Byron Community Centre as we are best placed to identify local needs. We will distribute funds to community organisations across the Northern Rivers to respond quickly and effectively.
Make a donation that works for community by community.
I have spare rooms down near Newcastle if anyone needs to get away for a few weeks or school holidays. Even if you just need a break. We would cover petrol etc costs and cover food and outings to give you a break.
Even if you want to send wife and kids down whilst you restart another clean up.