Fly the Australian flag for animals caught up in bushfires
THE owners of a St Peter Port party and gift store are keen to support those affected by the wildfires in Australia they say cannot help themselves – the animals.
With Australia Day on Sunday 26 January, and the devastating bushfires raging across the country, Balloonees will donate part of the profits from the flags they sell this year to an animal relief charity in New South Wales.
Owner Mark Passmore said they were asking everyone to support their appeal.
‘Each year, and for the last 15 years, Balloonees has stocked products for Australia Day, for any locals with relatives in Australia, or expats living here to commemorate their national day,’ he said.
‘This year, with such horrific scenes of devastation seen across Australia, we have decided to highlight the humane aspect of helping animals in need of desperate relief, so we want to donate part of the profits from all the Australia flags we sell to an animal relief charity in New South Wales.’
Every Australia flag sold will see the store donate half of its cost to Wildlife Rescue South Coast.
‘Wildlife has been affected particularly, with deaths and burns, drought and starvation for many animals,’ Mr Passmore added.
‘With most natural disasters, local fundraisers normally concentrate on the humanitarian side of providing relief, earthquake and flood hit regions, there are quite a few fundraisers and charities established who concentrate on when people are displaced or affected.
‘As passionate animal lovers, my wife and I support local animal charities and UK rehoming charities, and have personally donated to an animal volunteer charity in New South Wales.’
He said he hopes that donations will be able to provide vet care, fostering of infant animals, feeding and water stations in the regions affected by the bushfires for reptiles, koalas, kangaroos, birds and possums.
‘There’s been over 500 million animals estimated to have perished across Australia since the bushfires started and some species have probably been wiped out.
‘We felt we just had to ask Guernsey animal lovers for their support.
‘A life is a life.’
The Australian flags will be available to purchase from next week.
All donations will be recorded alongside the names of those who supported the appeal and be published after 26 January with the full amount raised and how this has been donated.
