Pack helps Pakistani flood victims

Craig Kelly from the Pioneer Tavern (left) and Rotary Club of Alstonville president Geoff Alexander with one of the tents that are part of the survival packs.

It doesn’t sound like much, but a simple survival pack containing a tent, blankets, a stove and tools is saving lives in flood-ravaged Pakistan – and Rotary needs your help getting more packs to the worst-affected victims.

The Rotary Club of Alstonville recently accepted a donation of $800 from Craig Kelly, licensee of the Pioneer Tavern in Wollongbar, which will buy one survival pack for distribution by Disaster Aid Australia.

Now the Rotary Clubs of Alstonville, Ballina and Ballina on Richmond are seeking public support so more packs can be sent to those left destitute.

“Rotarians are appalled by the magnitude of this tragedy unfolding in Pakistan,” Alstonville Rotary president Geoff Alexander said. “We hear reports that the flooded area is the size of Britain, with 20 million people affected – virtually the total population of Australia!”

Disaster Aid Australia has already dispatched 100 survival packs by air and two seaborne containers with 196 packs are on their way. To help the eight million flood survivors still needing urgent help, you can make cash donations at Taffys Shoe Repairs in Alstonville Plaza and at Hookers Real Estate in Ballina and Alstonville.

Fundraising BBQs will also be held at Ballina Fair and Alstonville Plaza this Saturday, September 11.