NSW bushfires: volunteering and donating

Heading into bushfire season, with fires already burning across NSW, Australia relies heavily on volunteers and donations to get through one of the toughest times of the year.

Whether you’re looking to donate money or manpower, here are some ways that you can help:

Volunteering

Currently, more than 70,000 volunteers predominantly staff the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). But with the average age of volunteers creeping upwards, recruiting new volunteer firefighters is now more important than ever. So if you’ve always considered joining the brigade, there has never been a more crucial time.

Alongside firefighter roles, the RFS also offers a range of volunteer opportunities in communications, catering, logistics, planning and aviation support, so you’ll be sure to find something that matches your capabilities.

Donations

As donated goods are often expensive to collect, sort through and distribute, it is recommended that community members wishing to help out donate money rather than goods to the bushfire appeal. You can show your support by donating to the following charities:

The Salvation Army Bushfire Relief Appeal – 13 72 58

Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery – 1800 811 700

St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Bushfire Appeal – 13 18 12

Woolworths stores are accepting donations for the Salvation Army and will match public donations dollar for dollar.

Coles stores in the ACT and NSW are accepting donations for the Red Cross.

For those of you concerned about our furry friends, Petbarn, in conjunction with the RSPCA, are running an appeal to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts of wildlife, pets and livestock. You can donate in-store or online.