Goulburn Valley residents and businesses have donated tens of thousands of dollars in cash, as well as truckloads of food, supplies and personal time to the victims of bushfires during the past few days.
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A truckload of supplies including water, food, clothing, nappies, sanitary products, gift and petrol cards and other items is on its way to Corryong and north-eastern Victoria this morning after collection points in Shepparton were inundated with donations at the weekend.
Shepparton's Robyn Campbell and her truckie partner Brad Mildren organised the appeal following the fires around Corryong, where Mr Mildren has family members affected by the devastation.
Mrs Campbell said drop-off points for donations at North East Isuzu Trucks on Wheeler St and Pinch of Salt on Fryers St were still active.
She said another truck run was planned, but no more donations of clothing or shoes were needed.
She also appealed for storage space.
"If anyone has a couple of storage sheds we can use, that would be fantastic, as this could go on for a few months," she said.
Shepparton Foodshare volunteers have also delivered much-needed milk and SPC products to Albury Wodonga Regional Foodshare which will directly supply fire-affected people around Corryong.
Shepparton Foodshare fundraising co-ordinator Kate Smith said the group's regular donor Josh's Rainbow Eggs had offered a pallet of eggs for Corryong which was due to be picked up by volunteers yesterday and taken to Albury Wodonga.
"Our Shepparton Foodshare volunteers have been amazing, stepping up to donate their time over and above what they normally do for us to help and ensure we can get the food needed to the fire-devasted areas, Ms Smith said.
She said the Shepparton volunteers were liaising with Albury Wodonga Foodshare to determine the items most needed
"If there is anything in particular that is needed we will put a call out on our Facebook page," Ms Smith said.
Shepparton's Sikh community is also busy collecting bushfire aid donations as part of a Victoria-wide appeal among Sikhs.
Shepparton Sikh Dhami Sing said tens of thousands of dollars had already been collected in Shepparton and across the state. He said a more exact figure would be known later this week.
Ritchies Supermarket in Cobram has also sent a trailer-load of water and other drinks, chips, biscuits, muesli bars, fruit cups and other items to fire-affected people around Jingellic.
City of Greater Shepparton Councillor Kim O'Keeffe said Sunday's fund-raising concert at Shepparton's Peppermill Inn featuring Chocolate Starfish singer Adam Thompson had so far raised more than $20 000 in cash and auction pledges with more still to be counted.
Donations can still be made to: BSB 193-879: Account 487861784.
