Flood Disaster relief – Coraki.

Ricky James is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Earlier this week, my hometown of Coraki, on the northern rivers of NSW, was affected by the largest flood they’ve ever experienced. It was completely unexpected and far worse than anyone anticipated. Coraki is a very small town, about 20 mins south of Lismore and it sits along the Richmond River. I was born and raised here so it’s a very special place to me and my family, as well as many other people, including many local indigenous people from the Bundjalung nation.

This flood had absolutely devastated the communities. The entire town is now cut off and 1600 people have been left homeless and or displaced, with many of them having lost absolutely everything! Those left, are currently seeking refuge at the local Uniting church, which is situated on Adam Street, one of the only street sections that is not covered by water.

It’s so difficult to explain the pain the locals are feeling and the devastation they will face in the coming days/weeks as the water subsides and they can return home to start the clean-up process.

This fundraiser is for Coraki and the surrounding areas including Bungawalbin. While, Lismore, Ballina, Mullumbimby and their surrounding area are also terribly affected, Coraki has not really had any media attention and the community has been left to fend for themselves. As have many other small towns in the region.

Flood insurance premiums for the area are between $13000-$30000 PA, for residential properties, which is unattainable for anyone. They have lost everything! Homes, Businesses, cars, furniture, deeply personal belongings that have all been washed away or are unsalvageable. Sadly, there has been reports of looting from evacuated homes in all affected areas.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, my brother woke to his boat crashing into their 2nd story bedroom window at 2am, as flood waters began to flood the top level of their home. He swam out to cut the rope on his boat, he then piled his family and pets aboard, luckily able to find a tree to secure them to until daylight. Fortunately, he has a boat with the ability to navigate himself and family to safety. Many others did not and were left stranded on roofs, some waiting for days to be rescued. Some people sadly are yet to be accounted for.

The devastation experienced everywhere is incredibly sad. The full scale of the destruction is yet to be seen as the flood water is still making access to their homes impossible.

I would never normally ask for help and neither would my family, but I am now asking that if anyone has something to contribute, it would certainly be most welcomed and appreciated. The money raised here on GoFundME will go directly to immediate assistance for the community. It will provide items such as non-perishable food, grocery vouchers, cleaning supplies, accommodation, personal and sanitary products. Any excess funds will go towards helping to rebuild the community. This money will be managed for the community by my mother Karen James & Auntie Joanne Links.

In addition, I will also be arranging for a drop off point in Brookvale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. If you have any useful household items and would like to give, you can drop off between 10am-4pm Monday – Wednesday.

Drop address is:

TOW AND LINE

6/15 West Street, Brookvale,

NSW 2100.

Items to drop off at Brookvale:

• New electrical appliances (kettles, toasters)

• Good working condition white goods (fridge’s, freezers, washing machines, dryers, dehumidifiers)

• Household furniture.

Please call or text Sophie (between 10-4pm Monday - Wednesday) prior on 0421 869668 so that we can coordinate drop off.

We ask that you send only functional and practical items, please.

We will be organising a truck/s for goods to be sent up to Coraki in the coming weeks.

If you would like to contribute somehow, it would be greatly appreciated.