Donations amazing

Alex de Vos
Geelong residents’ “mind-blowing” response to support Victoria’s bushfire victims has overwhelmed businesses and community groups collecting donations.
Diversitat’s Sheena Knowles, who has spent the week helping companies and individuals make donations, said the community’s generosity had left her “blown away”.
“We’ve directed so many calls from individuals and businesses wanting to help out,” Ms Knowles said.
“I think this particular disaster has struck harder than any other because it’s so close to home.
“The response is just mind-blowing.”
Australian Machinery Wholesalers opened its Breakwater warehouse as a collection point for clothing, bedding, toys and household goods.
Company general manager Paul Vigilante said the amount and type of donations was “staggering”.
“Someone came in the other day and donated a car and caravan,” Mr Vigilante said.
“We’ve got bikes and kids’ toys – people are also going out and buying new stuff from KMart.”
Mr Vigilante said more than 60 volunteers had arrived to help sort the donations, which were delivered directly to bushfire victims.
“The response from the Geelong community has been fantastic.”
Australians had donated more than $51.5 million nationally to a Victorian bushfire fund to assist the victims yesterday.
A Red Cross spokesperson called the growing total a “phenomenal response to a phenomenal emergency”.
The organisation was “flooded” with calls offering help but the spokesperson urged people with donations to be “patient and keep trying”.
Authorities have warned Victorians to remain on alert for increased fire activity this weekend.