Travel companies are stepping forward to help as fearsome bushfires ravage Australia, with the Entire Travel Group launching a bushfire appeal (which will run for all of January), a major cruise line adding its weight to the effort and Helloworld stepping with a pledge to match every dollar donated to a major bushfire appeal.
The scale of the fires is unprecedented.
“As a proudly Australian owned and operated business, we are devastated by the damage and destruction caused to our local communities and wildlife,” an Entire Travel Group spokesman said.
“To support the effort of our brave firefighters, Entire Travel Group will donate $20 per booking deposited in January 2020. Our donation will be shared between Victoria’s Country Fire Authority, the NSW Rural Fire Service and Wires Wildlife Rescue”
The initiative is expected to raise in excess of $10,000.
In another generous gesture, Carnival Australia has pledged $350,000 to support the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund as a result of the devastating bushfires.
P&O Cruises Australia, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard and Holland America Line – all of which have ships based year-round in Australia or home-ported here on extended seasonal deployments – are contributing.
Carnival Australia President Sture Myrmell said the global organisation had strong ties with Australia – 19 ships were based in local waters or visiting Australia over this summer cruise season.
“Our cruise lines carried hundreds of thousands of Aussies and international guests on voyages this summer, and this gesture is a sign of our solidarity with the local community,” Myrmell said.
“As a cruise shipping organisation with close ties to Australian communities developed over many years, we have been shocked by the devastation from this ongoing disaster.
“Our cruise lines are contributing to the Australian Red Cross’ Disaster Relief and Recovery work because of the organisation’s experience in dealing with the effects of natural disasters and its national reach.
“Communities affected by the bushfire crisis are in immediate need and we are pleased to be able to contribute in a way that ensures help can be delivered where it is needed most and as quickly as possible.
“This contribution is being made on behalf of all of our guests who are no doubt equally shocked and concerned at what has happened to their fellow Australians.”
Australian Red Cross acting chief executive Noel Clement said the organisation was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
“We really appreciate this generous support from Carnival Australia as well as the amazing support we’re receiving from Australians and people around the world,” Clement said.
“With so many Australians affected by emergencies this summer, this donation will help us give support to people as they recover, not just now in the immediate aftermath but in the months and years ahead.
“This donation could help provide emergency assistance, deliver recovery programs, help people and communities prepare for disasters, train, equip and coordinate volunteers, and much more. So thank you, we are truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.”
The commitment is in addition to the $50,000 that P&O Cruises Australia and its guests combined to donate to the St Vincent de Paul Society at the end of last year to support those affected by the bushfires in NSW and QLD at the time.
ADDITIONALLY, Helloworld Travel Limited has pledged to match every dollar donated to an appeal to provide much needed assistance to victims of Australia’s ongoing bushfire crisis.
The GOFUNDME page has raised almost $10,000 in 24 hours for the Australian Red Cross and will stay active for the entire month of January.
At the end of the month all donations will go directly to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.
Executive Director and Head of Wholesale and Inbound, Cinzia Burnes, said by doubling contributions even more money will go towards providing emergency relief to those in desperate need.
Helloworld’s Buy a Bale campaign
“From all at Helloworld Travel, our thoughts are with all the families who have lost their properties and stock, as well as all the small and medium businesses, particularly those in tourism who have been affected at their busiest time of their year,” Mrs Burnes said.
Helloworld Travel has also donated 10 truckloads of hay (2000 bales) and 575,000 litres of water through the Buy a Bale campaign helping farmers impacted by the drought and now the bushfires.
The Buy a Bale campaign is part of the charity Rural Aid, formed to expand services and support to rural communities not only suffering through natural disasters, but communities that need help remaining in existence.
Helloworld Travel is also working towards other initiatives in all divisions to further support the victims of the bushfires in coming weeks.
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