Following the floods across the Northern Rivers, aid and rebuilding efforts over the next few months are massive. It is clear that financial and physical support will be required on an ongoing basis.
Contributing to the fundraising effort, Rebuild the Northern Rivers is a newly announced online auction platform with dozens of unique, rare and sought after items donated by businesses across Australia.
The fundraiser has been collated and coordinated by Northern Rivers resident Sophie Kirov of Lost Motel who said, ‘The generosity and kindness of bands and brands with their contributions has completely floored me and I am grateful beyond these words. Please share, buy a raffle ticket, have a bid and good luck!’
Ms Kirov says if you’re feeling helpless or want to ensure 100% of your donation goes directly to those in need, this is a great platform to pledge money to people in the region who need it most.
What’s on offer?
Items up for grabs include luxury escapes to accommodation such as Rae’s on Wategos and Eden Currumbin Valley, one on one sessions with Flume and Matt Corby, experiential packages including URBNSURF, VIP tickets with backstage access and meet and greets, custom guitars, craft beer brewing, overseas trips, merch packs, commissioned art, rare collectables, business development sessions, and in-store vouchers.
With a huge range of one-off experiences and unique items on offer, organisers say there is something for everyone.
Where will the funds go?
At the end of the auctions, organisers say 100% of all Rebuild the Northern Rivers donations will be split three ways to:
1. Good360: NSW Flood Appeal Good360 is a matchmaker, connecting brand-new goods donated by businesses to people and communities who need them the most. Good360 matches the right goods to the right people, at the right time through all stages of disaster recovery, to help local communities recover and rebuild, providing hope and dignity.
2. Bundjalung Community Flood Raiser by Koori Mail, which is wholly owned by five Bundjalung Aboriginal community organisations: Bundjalung Tribal Society at Lismore, Bunjum Co-operative at Cabbage Tree Island, Buyinbin Co-operative at Casino, Kurrachee Cooperative at Coraki, and Nungera Co-operative at Maclean. Your donation will support these communities to rebuild in the wake of these floods.
3. Byron Community Centre in partnership with the Northern Rivers Community Foundation. Your donation will go through the Byron Community Centre who are working in partnership with the Northern Rivers Community Foundation to ensure your donations will be 100% provided to locally based needs.
The Flood Relief Fund will distribute these donations via immediate grants to community organisations across the Northern Rivers region for the quickest and most effective support.
Money will go to community and neighbourhood centres, emergency relief hubs, housing and homelessness services, support groups for domestic violence and mental health, crisis support, food pantries, and environment and wildlife conservation organisations.
Organisers say Air Auctioneer has generously donated the use of their platform, with another donor personally covering the unavoidable 1.75% Stripe processing fee. This means every dollar raised will be donated.
Rebuild the Northern Rivers is currently live with buy now and bidding options available.
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