Donate some undies to Bundy
It began by lending a helping hand to one friend who lost everything during Queensland’s recent floods – now heartfelt nationwide donations of things we often take for granted are flooding in for those living in the state’s Bundaberg region.
It began by lending a helping hand to one friend who lost everything during Queensland’s recent floods – now heartfelt nationwide donations of things we often take for granted are flooding in for those living in the state’s Bundaberg region.
A social networking group on Facebook, dubbed Undies for Bundy, has been inundated with people offering donations of new underwear, toys, incontinence aids, toiletries and much more for the Bundaberg flood victims.
The cofounders of the group, Angela McLaren, Matthew Daniels and Rachel Wyllie, admit they have been overwhelmed by the show of support by people around the country.
“It has been extraordinary. I didn’t imagine it would get to where it is at the moment,” Ms McLaren tells DPS News.
“There have been many individuals who have been posting items to us who have been through things in their own lives. It’s just phenomenal; there are literally truckloads of items,” she says.
Ms McLaren, who used to reside in Bundaberg, felt the desire to help after speaking with a friend who had lost his house during the devastation of the floods.
“He said all he would be happy with was a pair of clean undies and a pair of size 15 shoes,” she says.
And then emerged the Undies for Bundy Facebook group, which already has a following of nearly 2,000 people nationwide since its creation less than a week ago.
Some overseas good Samaritans have also shown their willingness and generosity to help Bundaberg residents rebuild their lives, with a woman from Austria even pledging some money towards the cause.
A massive cleanup is now underway in Queensland where many communities are short of food, power and water, and the death toll has risen to six.
The estimated damage cost so far is reportedly exceeding $200 million.
Bundaberg’s damage can now been seen as the Burnett River recedes from the overnight peak of 9.53 metres. Thousands of homes have been affected, with about 1,000 uninhabitable.
While toys for children, toiletries and clothing are important, donations such as incontinence aids to assist older Queenslanders affected by the floods are also being encouraged by the Undies for Bundy organisers.
Some of the other items urgently required include: insect repellent; hand sanitisers; school items; and for the locals, stock feed.
“We would like to say an incredible thank you to every person who has donated. The response and love has been so beautiful and so overwhelming,” Ms McLaren says.
Thousands of donations from all over Australia and the world is expected to arrive in Bundaberg by the end of this week.
If you would like to show your support, please generously post your Undies for Bundy items of love to: C/- Undies for Bundy, PO Box 5589, Bundaberg, Queensland 4670.
Details are listed below for those wishing to make a cash donation:
Bundy South Queensland SDA Flood Relief Fund
Westpac, 260 Queen Street, Brisbane.
BSB: 034-002
Account: 95-7389
For more information, contact cofounders Angela McLaren on 0438 908 323 or Rachel Wyllie on 0419 532 795 or visit the Undies for Bundy Facebook page.
