The fundraising for Tathra’s recovery effort is tipping over $1.1million thanks to the generosity of people far and wide.
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And that’s just in the official Mayoral Appeal Fund, not including the countless acts of generosity from individuals, businesses and organisations donating everything from toiletries to clean-up services.
On Saturday, it was all about Band Together, the music festival looking to add in the order of $250,000 to that mayoral fund total.
However, also worth celebrating was a donation from Tomra, the company behind the state’s Return and Earn reverse vending machines.
Throughout the month of April, the bushfire appeal was added to the list of charitable funds able to be donated to via the container recycling scheme.
On Saturday, the total so far – $8400 – was handed to Bega Valley Shire Mayor Kristy McBain by Tomra rep Claire Mawdsley.
That’s the equivalent of 84,000 cans and bottles recycled across NSW in the name of Tathra’s recovery.
There may be more to add as the inclusion of the appeal on the Return and Earn machines was extended to Sunday, May 27.
Ms Mawdsley said Tomra also felt “touched” by the plight of the bushfire-ravaged community and donated an additional $2000 itself.
Cr McBain graciously accepted the donation towards Tathra’s ongoing recovery efforts.
“It’s an overused word but all we can say is thank you to everyone,” Cr McBain said.
“The generosity, right across NSW is genuine and overwhelming – to think that our small community is in their thoughts.”
Thanks must also go to charity Take 3 for the Sea, which graciously offered to step aside for the past month and a bit to allow the inclusion of the Tathra appeal on the Tomra machines.
Meanwhile, Tomra reported that in the litter reduction initiative’s first five months operating in NSW, more than 282 million containers have been returned.
An average of 55 containers are being returned per visit – 2.5 times more than Tomra users’ global average of 21 containers per visit.
“That NSW recyclers are beating out the rest of the world in the number of containers per visit truly shows how eager the community is to do their bit, and just how much container litter is being picked up from streets, beaches and parks,” president of Tomra Collection Australia Ryan Buzzell said.