The might of charity on show

By Kath Gannaway
THE past four to five weeks have seen some mighty fundraising for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal, for the CFA, for individual fire brigades around the Yarra Valley and for groups caring for wildlife affected by the fires.
Among those who opened their doors – and wallets – were local restaurants and wineries, including Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander and the Wattleseed Cafe in Healesville and Rustic Charm in Wandin.
Eighty people wined, dined and bid big-time at a Gala Dinner at Rustic Charm restaurant on Monday 9 March.
Wandin, Seville and Gruyere fire brigades and Help For Wildlife will each receive $1700 as a result.
Rustic Charm owner Jeynelle Forrest organised the night and her staff all donated their time. Gladysdale comedian Michael Connell was MC with the Fat Cats providing the music.
A Labrador puppy was just one of the raft of items auctioned on the night, all donated by local businesses and families.
Denise Garratt, director of Help For Wildlife said the donation had made her day. “It will purchase a much-needed humidicrib,” she said.
Her team of dedicated volunteers is still working long hours retrieving injured wildlife and caring for them.
In Healesville a $25,000 donation from US wine importer Old Bridge Cellars was handed over to CFA group manager Ken Reed last week at a special breakfast at Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander winery in Healesville.
The company imports wines from five Yarra Valley wineries – Balgownie, Yeringberg, Yarra Yering, Mount Mary and Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander.
Giant Steps’ Corinna Thompson said the company wanted to help because of its close relationship with the area.
The company had heard about the “extraordinary work of the local volunteer-based CFA crews, who fought tirelessly to defend and safeguard all of these wineries and their vineyards”.
Because of the amazing work and sacrifices these crews had made for their communities, Old Bridge Cellars wanted to show its “heartfelt thanks and support for the CFA with a cash donation”, Ms Thompson said.
The team at Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander wanted to thank Old Bridge Cellars for its generous donation of $25,000 to the CFA , she said.
It also wanted to thank local CFA crews for their “unwavering commitment and dedication to fighting the fires and protecting the lives, homes and properties of those in the community”.
Giants Steps/Innocent Bystander also raised $4250 for the regional CFA at its recent Thai night.
Rick and Judy Morgan and staff at Wattleseed Cafe in Healesville raised $7500 with their auction-drink-and-eat fundraiser for the Healesville Fire Brigade.
Calling the event “successful and uplifting”, Mr Morgan said: “Auctioneer David Brown came out of retirement for the event, that was fantastic; I am sure everybody paid more than what they should have paid.,” he said.
The popular Celtic band Ardmore played to a full house, the Slow Coach travelling restaurant did rides around the town and Mr Morgan said they even charged people to “spend a penny”.
“We couldn’t have done it without the efforts of our staff and all the local businesses who supported the event,” he said.
Other major fundraisers coming up include two concerts at the Healesville Racecourse – one this coming Saturday and another on 19 April.
Let the Mail know of bushfire fundraisers coming up, and of the results, by emailing details to monique.ebrington@yvnews.com.au