NSW Bushfires - How you can help!

These are some very testing times for the residents of Blue Mountains and other bushfire affected parts of NSW. The weather conditions are deteriorating and fire control outlook doesn't look very encouraging at the moment.

Here are a few things that you can do to help the affected residents: (Copying from SBS website)

How you can help

NSW police have released a statement advising community members of the most helpful things they can do to assist with the recovery. Allison Rowlands, NSW Director of Disaster Welfare, has asked people to carefully consider what they give in order to minimise the donation of unwanted goods.

“Goods donated are often expensive to sort, store, distribute and dispose of. Donated goods also disadvantage local businesses as they reduce the need to purchase locally," she said.

"We know from those past experiences that donations of money are much more useful than goods as they provide choice and independence to affected communities."

You can donate to the Red Cross Appeal here.
http://redcross.org.au/disaster-reli...
You can donate to the Salvation Army Appeal here.
http://salvos.org.au/
Petbarn is also running an appeal in conjunction with the RSPCA to assist rescue and recovery efforts aimed at wildlife, pets and livestock. You can donate to this appeal at all Petbarn stores. The RSPCA is also appealing for online donations to help RSPCA inspectors help animals affected by the bushfires.
https://www.thankq.net.au/donate/V23...
National Animal Rescue Groups of Australia (NARGA) have a database of people willing to provide temporary care to all manner of animals during this crisis. More information on how you can assist or use their services can be found here.

The Animal Welfare League NSW is also offering emergency shelters for injured and displaced animals in bushfire-affected areas. More information on how you can help can be found here.

Residents and volunteers have been issued a plea to stay out of fire-damaged areas until they have been deemed safe by authorities.