Strathbogie Community Playgroup is raising funds to support families in our local community affected by the ongoing Longwood bushfire impacting Longwood, Gooram, Alexandra and surrounding districts.

At this stage, three families with young children connected to our playgroup have been directly affected.

One is a single mother renting in Longwood, without contents insurance, who is expected to have significant smoke damage to household items.

In addition, multiple playgroup families rely on agricultural contracting and/or farming as their sole source of income. Hay season has just finished and large areas have been burned, meaning livestock as well as expected income for the year has been lost. While community relief efforts are underway to organise emergency feed for surviving stock, the fire front is still active and the danger is not yet over.

All families are currently evacuated, staying with friends, family or temporary accommodation outside the danger zone. In some cases, fathers are CFA volunteers who are currently away from their families fighting the fires. These families left in extreme summer heat and are now dealing with much cooler conditions, away from home and with limited belongings. Government relief payments have not yet reached bank accounts, leaving families in need of immediate, practical support.

Right now, donations are being used to supply essential items such as:

• Drinking water

• Disposable nappies and wipes

• Clothing and other basic necessities

Looking ahead, when it is safe for the wider community to return home, some of the families supported by this fund may not be able to do so immediately. Smoke damage may make homes unsafe or unliveable until essential items can be cleaned or replaced. There is likely to be a need to replace smoke-affected mattresses, bedding and essential furniture that cannot be safely cleaned, as well as to help families manage the ongoing financial strain caused by lost income.

This fundraiser has been created so that people from further afield can support affected families in a practical and meaningful way, both during the immediate emergency and through the longer recovery period.

All funds raised will be distributed directly to affected families based on need, with care and transparency.

Please bear with us for updates. We are still in the middle of an active emergency, away from our own homes, and doing our best to support friends and families who are in even greater need than we are. Updates will be shared as capacity allows. Funds will not be allocated without an update.

Thank you for standing with our community during this difficult time. Every contribution, large or small, truly helps.

Thank you for your support,

Sharna & Ally

Bogie Playgroup Coordinators