TWO community groups have been busy in the background raising money for bushfire relief.
Red Hill Lions and Flinders District Lions collected $11,500 from parking cars at the January Red Hill market.
The money would normally go to peninsula-based charities and projects, but will this time go to the victims of the East Gippsland fires.
Both clubs are in a district that stretches to Mallacoota, so there are close friends, family and communities that need assistance.
As well as Lions club members, volunteers at the market came from the Red Hill CFA, schools, kindergartens and the wider community.
“It was an exceptionally busy day, and the public filled all the available parking spots,” Red Hill Lion Merrin Munroe said. “There were several very generous donations and lots of people donated more than the $5 entrance fee.
“There were lots of compliments from the public on how well things were managed and how smoothly everything ran.”
Ms Munroe said parking duties at the market were usually conducted by the clubs on a voluntary roster basis, but that Saturday many volunteers stayed longer than their allotted time.
Volunteers, or donors, can contact their local Lions club or the Australian Lions Foundation. Donations are tax deductible.
“Lots of help will be required in the upcoming months and more hands would be very welcome,” Ms Munroe said.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 15 January 2020
