MOUNT Gambier resident Bailey Edwards (pictured) is appealing to Limestone Coast residents to offer donations for victims of the Eastern Australia bushfires which she will personally deliver to Merimbula, New South Wales, around 110km from Mallacoota.
Ms Edwards, a former resident of the affected area, is collecting non-perishable foods, toiletries and everyday items to deliver to the Merimbula evacuation centres to those who need it most.
The small town has become a refuge for those impacted by the devastation in the Bega Valley district, with fires continuing the ravage the region.
Ms Edwards was in the area during 2011 when bushfires took hold, making her familiar first-hand with the destructive toll the disasters can take on communities and what goods are needed most by those directly affected.
“I was 12 when that happened and those bushfires were nowhere near as bad as they are now.”
Setting up a drop-off point at The Gambier Hotel, Ms Edwards has encouraged donations of items including baby formula, nappies, cereals, long-life milk, pet food and everyday essentials.
Along with the collected goods, she will also take a first aid kit to help those where she can.
Ms Edwards has been blown away with the generosity of the Limestone Coast community since announcing her trip to the affected area and hopes to have a car load of donations before the weekend.
She says other local businesses have been particularly helpful in getting involved.
Centenary Tower caretaker Ben Deering will donate one bottle of water for each bottle sold over the week to the evacuation centre in Merimbula.
A drop-off point for donations has been set up at The Gambier Hotel until Ms Edwards leaves to the affected areas on January 11.
Ms Edwards can be contacted directly through social media for other potential pick up locations or questions of other items people wish to donate.
Monetary donations can also be made to the Country Fire Service (CFS), Australian Red Cross and to Wires Wildlife Association.
