Australian Red Cross is urging the nation to dig deep for a telethon to support flood-stricken communities across Queensland and New South Wales.
“All the funds raised during the telethon will be distributed as cash grants to people affected by the floods,” Red Cross CEO, Kym Pfitzner said.
“We’re hoping it will be an enormous success, as we will be able to give everything we raise. Hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by these floods, and the need for assistance can’t be over- estimated.
“Red Cross is grateful for the efforts of Channels 9, 7 and 10, who are coming together in a television first to unite the nation to support those impacted by the floods through a night of musical entertainment from Australian stars.”
The Australia Unites telethon will run across the three networks simultaneously from 7:30-10:30pm (AEDT) Saturday.
Funds raised through the telethon will support two types of cash grants:
- Bereavement Grants to support senior next-of-kin of those who died as a direct result of the floods with immediate needs (funeral and other related expenses).
- Cash grant (the Relief Grant) to help with basic needs such as food, clothing or personal items for people whose principal place of residence was impacted by the floods and who are experiencing financial hardship as a result.
Grant applications will open on 18 March.