12 January 2011

In response to floods in Australia, New Zealand Red Cross is accepting donations to support the Australian Red Cross' response and recovery work.

New Zealand Red Cross International Operations Manager Andrew McKie said, "Red Cross volunteers and staff are working around the clock to help people caught up in this desperate situation. We want to do our bit to help."

"We have been getting a lot of calls from people wanting to help our neighbours across the ditch and a cash donation is the best way they can do this."

One hundred per cent of donations to the Australian Floods Fund will go to Australian Red Cross, which is working with other agencies to evacuate people, run welfare centres for people staying away from home, going door-to-door in neighbourhoods to check on people, and giving advice on cleaning up after floods and psychological trauma.

Red Cross is only able to accept financial donations. Unsolicited or unwanted goods and services can create delays and distract relief staff and resources from more important or relevant tasks. This is widely known as the "second disaster".

Ways to donate:

* Make a secure online donation to the Australian Floods Fund at w * Send a cheque (made payable to: New Zealand Red Cross) to: Red Cross Flood Response and Recovery Fund, Freepost 232690, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144.

A four-person New Zealand Red Cross team leaves for Brisbane this week to boost the massive Australian Red Cross flood relief operation.

ENDS

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