Australian Wildfires-Upper Murray Fire Support

I am sure most have heard and even watched the news about the devastating wildfires that are burning many parts of Australia right now.  My name is Sally Cheshire Woods and I come from a small rural area in the northeastern part of Victoria about 13 kms from the rural town of Walwa. This corner of the world (the Upper Murray region) is largely agricultural and is truly a breathtaking place. People come from all over to enjoy the beautiful scenery, rivers, the Australian ‘bush’, wildlife as well as the serenity and peacefulness offered in these valleys. During the summer months thousands of holiday makers visit the area to enjoy camping and the outdoors with their family and friends. I visited last June (their winter) and it was so beautiful, green and lush.  It is hard to believe that now it is burned to the ground just a short time later. This area and the surrounding areas are currently being hit hard with the fires that continue to burn out of control.

I currently live in the town of Rochester, New York, USA (upstate NY).  It is so hard to be so far away from my childhood HOME while my family, neighbors and community are going through this horrendous act of nature.  Their homes and everything they have worked their lives for are literally going up in flames. Homes are being burned to the ground along with fencing, sheds and machinery.   Animals and livestock are losing their lives. People are not only losing their homes - they are also losing their livelihood.

I started this go-fund-me page as a result of friends here in the states asking how they can help. The money raised from this go-fund-me campaign is going directly to the Walwa Jingellic Lions Club (a not for profit organization) to support the needs of people directly impacted in the surrounding areas by the Australian wildfires. My Dad and Mum have been a huge part of this club for over thirty years and have helped raise money for many charities all over the world.  Well now it is their hometown area that needs assistance.  I can't be there right now in person to help on the ground, so I am doing the next best thing – raising money to help.  All funds raised here will help rebuild the lives of those directly impacted by these fires.

After the flames burn out, there are going to be a lot of people in the Upper Murray region and surrounding communities that need their lives rebuilt literally from the ground up. I understand a lot of people will have insurance but there are also a lot that will not. Rebuilding the communities will be a massive and long undertaking.  No donation is too small – any amount will help.  Thank you in advance if you choose to support this very worthy cause.

On another note:  I do want to say a HUGE thank you to all the fire fighters both paid and volunteer.  They are working around the clock risking their lives under extremely dangerous and strenuous circumstances – with little to no sleep.  They are all doing an incredible job and I am amazed by all the homes and lives they HAVE saved including but not limited to my family’s farm, cousins/neighbors’ homes, and local towns where I went to school.  Each and every one of you are heroes. I am sure I speak from everyone but thank you from the bottom of my heart.