A collection depot has been established at Echuca Freight & Furniture at 5 Mundarra Rd in Echuca.
Owners Wayne and Bindi-Jane Hartford will receive donations of non-perishable food, clothing and footwear, toys, tools, water, personal hygiene items and toiletries – even pet food.
Their business will wrap and palletise all the donations and drive them to the central collection point at Bairnsdale in East Gippsland.
“We plan to make the trip next weekend and hope to have a full load when we head off,” Wayne said.
“We are open 6am to 5pm all week but if you need help having something picked up, or want to ask about your donation, call me on 0418 576 844 and we will sort something out,” he said.
“So many of these people have nothing but memories and broken hearts so everything we can do to help, even a little bit, will make such a difference in their lives.
“The people at Bairnsdale have also asked donations be realistic – the clothing and footwear, for example, doesn’t have to be brand new but it must be in very good condition.
“They will have stuff coming in from across the country so the last thing they need to be doing is sorting through items that aren’t really up to scratch.”
Wayne said he was also appealing to businesses to get on board as well as private donors.
He has already contacted just a few and the goods are already rolling in.
“Cadell Trading has sent us a palette of water and toiletries and United Fuel has agreed to assist as well,” Wayne said.
“And that’s just today and I have just started sending out emails, so if you want to help please get in touch,” he added.
Echuca Freight & Furniture
5 Mundarra Rd, Echuca
Open from 6am to 5pm
Phone: 0418 576 844
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