Cash floods in for fire victims

COMMUNITIES have opened their hearts – and their wallets – in the wake of Victoria’s worst natural disaster.
The Pakenham Red Cross has raised $45,000 – and counting – for bushfire victims since Black Saturday.
Locals dug deep with children emptying their money boxes and older residents also making generous donations.
Booths outside Coles and Target on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday collected $22,000 and a further $2500 was raised during a tin shake in Main Street on Saturday morning.
The Cardinia Foundation presented the Pakenham Red Cross with a $20,000 cheque on Monday and the Pakenham Racing Club tipped in more than $3000.
The Pakenham Bowls Club gave money raised from the green fees and raffle at the Geoff Morris Triples Day to the Pakenham Red Cross.
Two members donated $100, allowing the bowls club to hand over a $1000 cheque.
Pakenham Red Cross secretary Meryl Waterhouse said she was thrilled with the result.
“I’m absolutely amazed, this country is going through hard times yet all this money has come forward,” she said.
The Country Women’s Association (CWA) Pakenham branch also had success at the Pakenham Plaza where it collected $2332 on Friday for bushfire relief.
Snags were snapped up at the Pakenham Lions Junior Football Club’s registration day.
Those at Sunday’s barbecue were asked to pay what they could for a sausage – $700 was raised with one snag selling for $50.
Tooradin Airfield also hosted a bushfire appeal barbecue which raised $500.
Earlier in the week Tooradin Airfield assisted with fire-fighting efforts at the Bunyip State Park, by hosting several Dromader fire-bombing aircraft.
The fundraising continued last night at Warragul Greyhounds race meet, after Racing Victoria pledged a minimum of $100,000 to help bushfire victims.