Bendigo Bank’s Victorian Flood Appeal raises $500,000

Bendigo Bank’s Victorian Flood Appeal has reached an important milestone raising $500,000 to support communities most affected by the devastating floods.

Conducted by the Bank’s charitable arm - Community Enterprise Foundation – the funds raised by the Appeal will be directed towards helping communities impacted by the floods and aiding their recovery over the immediate, medium, and long-term.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank CEO and Managing Director Marnie Baker thanked everyone who had dug deep and contributed.

“We know that there are many demands on budgets at this time of year, so a big thank you to everyone who has donated to our Victorian Flood Appeal,” Ms Baker said.

“I’d like to highlight the contributions from our Community Bank partners, who combined have donated $168,000 over the past month. Our Community Banks play a critical role in building and strengthening the social fabric within communities, especially in times of crisis, so I send my deep thanks to the 34 Community Banks who have donated.

“I’d also like to single out Community Bank Inglewood & Districts, which has delivered a grant of $50,000 to rural volunteer group BlazeAid in order to establish and maintain its camp which has supported 100 volunteers putting in countless hours of clean-up work. This has been a particularly significant initiative for farmers returning stock back to the land.

“We know from past experience with natural disasters that recovering from a disaster of this magnitude will be a marathon, not a sprint.

“The strength and resilience I’ve seen from Victorians affected by floods has been remarkable but there’s still so much to be done. Please consider making a donation if you are able to, there is still plenty of time to donate and make a difference,” Ms Baker concluded.

How to donate now:

People wishing to support these communities are encouraged to provide monetary donations directly to the Victorian Flood Appeal. Monetary donations are quicker, more effective, and logistically provide far more flexibility than donations of material items or pre-loved goods. Donations can be made at any time online or at your local Bendigo Bank branch.  All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

The Victorian Flood Appeal is a management account of Community Enterprise Foundation™ ABN 69 694 230 518, The Bendigo Centre, PO Box 480, Bendigo, Vic 3552. The Foundation will make distributions by way of grants, following receipt of applications from organisations endorsed with an item 1 Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).

Support available:

• Up-to-date information on changing flood conditions can be found on the VicEmergency Website
• Victorian government emergency relief assistance payments are available for those impacted by flooding to help with food, shelter, clothing, and medication. Submit your application.
• Lifeline’s 24/7 telephone crisis support service is available on 13 11 14.