March 18, 2020
The Australian Turf Club has distributed almost 1000 hay bales and further funding to NSW communities still recovering from the devastating summer bushfires and drought.
Following last month’s assistance along the NSW South Coast, the Australian Turf Club Foundation visited trainers and local communities around Wauchope on Monday and surrounding districts on the mid North Coast of NSW on Tuesday.
The funds raised from the Racing for the Bushfire campaign and special race meeting at Royal Randwick on 25 January have provided hay for horses, livestock and injured animals, and funding for fencing and buildings, in a number of local communities.
Amongst the latest donations this week were:
- $25,000 for almost 1000 hay bales to be delivered along the mid north coast
- $15,000 to Blaze Aid to use local businesses to repair fences and other structures
- $20,000 to animal rescue organisation Fawna and its carers
The Australian Turf Club Foundation visited thoroughbred trainer Terry Evans whose property suffered severe bushfire damage.
At the height of the crisis Mr Evans slept in his stables to protect his horses from the fires.
“I’m extremely grateful for the work of the Australian Turf Club and these donations will go a long way to helping me and others to keep our stables going,” Mr Evans said.
“It’s been a tough time and this support from the Club and racing fans has been fantastic.”
The ATC Foundation delivered further support to bushfire-hit communities in Wauchope, Port Macquarie and Foster-Tuncurry today. Almost 1,000 bales of hay, along with funds to repair or rebuild fences, were donated to BlazeAid. @blazeaid pic.twitter.com/ADULVgBcKO
— Australian Turf Club (@atc_races) March 16, 2020
A total of more than $150,000 has so far bee raised through the Australian Turf Club, Racing NSW, raceday partners, individual donors and on-course donations during the Racing for the Bushfire Appeal.
FAWNA provides support to carers for wildlife rescue, relocation and rehabilitation covering an area over 18,000 sq/km.
Australian Turf Club partners and raceday partners who supported the Racing for the Bushfire Appeal were: Lion, City Tatts, TABCORP and Sky Racing, Inglis, PFD Food Services, The Coopers Hotel Newtown, Mark Alati Bookmakers and Edney Ryan Group.
100 per cent of funds raised from the appeal through the ATC Foundation will be sent to the bushfire affected communities and livestock.
Australian Turf Club Foundation Chairman Phil Morley said: “We are again delighted through the generosity of the racing community and our partners to bring further direct help to many communities still recovering from the bushfires and drought.
“As was the case with the NSW South Coast, we have been determined to get these funds to the people most in need as quickly as possible.”