BaptistCare NSW and ACT doubles $100k target for NSW Northern Rivers floods

Not For Profit BaptistCare NSW and ACT has decided to double its flood appeal target to $200,000 after its original $100,000 target for relief efforts was met.

“We’re incredibly humbled by the incredible generosity of our existing and many new donors, who have seen a great need in the Northern Rivers and responded. We know that Australians will step up in times of crisis in our communities, and our Flood Appeal for the Northern Rivers is no different. Many of BaptistCare’s own residents, clients, housing tenants, staff and volunteers have been impacted by flood waters and as they begin recovery, the donations made will go some way towards helping them on this journey,” said Randy Wood, BaptistCare NSW & ACT Fundraising Manager. “We know our generous supporters will help us get there, just as we remain committed to providing ongoing help and support to the NSW Northern Rivers during the recovery phase.”

The scale of the flooding in the NSW Northern Rivers region is unprecedented. The NSW SES has deemed 2,016 residential, commercial, industrial or outbuildings in the Lismore Local Government Area as uninhabitable. BaptistCare NSW and ACT’s aged care home Maranoa Court at Alstonville has taken 12 residents rescued from

Uniting NSW.ACT Head of Residential Operations North, Margaret Strahan, visited Lismore last week to provide support to staff.

“We have opened up our residential aged care home Uniting Caroona Marima, Kalina and Jarman in Goonellabah to residents from other impacted aged care homes in Lismore, Home and Community Care Clients and older Australians from evacuation centres,” she said. “We are also reviewing vacancies at Uniting Caroona Yamba and Uniting Kingscliff to assist any displaced older people. “Sadly, several Uniting staff have lost their homes and approximately 30 others have been severely impacted by the floods. We are supporting these employees through Uniting Emergency Relief".

You can donate to the BaptistCare NSW & ACT Flood Appeal here. The Australian Government is providing a range of support to operators of residential aged care homes, as well as home and community services in flood-affected regions. Click here for more information.