An Echuca family was among many to benefit from donated funds raised through the Melbourne Cup Carnival Flood Relief and Recovery Pledge.
Communities impacted by the devastating floods last year received more than $500,000 as the Melbourne Cup Carnival partnered with not-for-profit donation platform GIVIT.
GIVIT chief executive officer Sarah Tennant said the funds were used to provide critical support to people across Victoria and New South Wales.
A family in Echuca including a child with an intellectual disability lost everything in this disaster when flood waters inundated their home,” Ms Tennant said.
“Thanks to these donations, GIVIT was able to provide them with critical supplies such as grocery, fuel and clothes vouchers to assist them while they stay with friends and rebuild their lives.
“A farming family in Whanregarwen who had been working 18 hours a day to fix their farm and home, which were destroyed in these floods, also received grocery and fuel vouchers to help them through their recovery.
“GIVIT was able to provide a new car seat to a young family in Kialla who had recently arrived in Australia on protection visas and were severely impacted by floods.
“These donations may seem simple but their impact on communities who have experienced a traumatic event can’t be underestimated.”
Funds were donated by many of those who were part of the 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival, from organisations, industry participants and racegoers.
Donations include those from Lexus Australia, Network 10, Tabcorp, Furphy, the Melbourne Racing Club Foundation, Ascot Racecourse in the UK, the Victorian Jockeys Association, UNIbet, MSS Security, the Highland Foundation and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC).
VRC chief executive officer Steve Rosich said it was great to see the impact of the support for flood-affected communities.
“The Melbourne Cup Carnival provided a platform for everyone to come together and support Australian communities doing it tough and through GIVIT ensure that people are provided with what they need to rebuild their lives following last year’s extreme weather event,” Mr Rosich said.
GIVIT works directly with local councils, outreach teams, charities and community groups to identify exactly what’s needed to make sure people get what they need, when they need it.